Known scientifically as the Cynoscion regalis, the Atlantic weakfish possesses a long slender body, a green back with dark spots, a white belly and yellow squared-tailed fins. Its name is derived from the delicate tissues around the mouth that frequently break apart when engaged by hook, which often enables the fish to escape capture (Chesapeake, n.d.). They range in size from 12 to 18 inches, normally weigh between 6-18 pounds and inhabit shallow waters with sandy bottoms off eastern coastline of North America from Nova Scotia to Florida, but are most plentiful between New York and North Carolina (ASMFC, 2015). The weakfish live in schools and their diet consists primarily of small shrimp and crustaceans as adults and of zooplankton as juveniles (ASMFC, 2009).

The reproduce from April to June with females continuously producing eggs rather than laying them at one time. The larva hatch roughly 48 hours after fertilization and the fish matures quickly as they are normally 10-11 inches long by the end of their first year (ASMFC, 2015). During the winter season, they migrate to continental shelf waters as the temperature declines. In recent years, their population has tremendously declined, so protective regulations have been enacted (ASMFC, 2009). Although the cause of their decreased numbers has not been ultimately determined, it could the result of the overfishing of menhaden. Normally, a source of food for the striped bass population in the Chesapeake Bay, the diminishing menhaden populations cause the striped bass to prey upon the weakfish and out compete them for prey (Greenpeace, n.d.).

The scientific stakeholders in the case of the weakfish include a fairly diverse group. Ichthyologists study fish directly and are divided into three different groups depending upon the fish they choose to study. There are, however, scientists that study marine biology, ecology and weather patterns in addition to ichthyologists. The scientists can be members of professional groups such as those at universities like North Carolina State’s program, the Atlantic States Marine Fishery Commission, state departments of conservation and wildlife and government or international organizations like the World Wildlife Fund. They recommend regulations on fishing and research to conclude if the ecosystem is being damaged to where the weakfish cannot be returned to a sustainable population.

The economic stakeholders in regards to the weakfish are also numerous and varied. As fish is the main source of protein for 20 percent of the world’s population and the United States is one of the largest importers of seafood, the results of overfishing, in addition to declining populations for other factors, is a significant global economic issue (Jones, n.d.). Examples of economic stakeholders would be the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Bank, seafood companies, as weakfish are a vital link in the food chain, fisherman, sustainable fishing operatives and environmental organizations. The recommended courses of action are sustainable fisheries and regulation of fishing practices.

The cultural/social stakeholders would be the individuals in the region. While the weakfish typically is not a part of any real symbolic ritual or held in particularly high regard by a specific cultural group, its diminishing population represents an alteration of a lifestyle. Both commercial and recreational fishers will be impacted by the lack of the weakfish, because of its role in the food chain. It also illustrates the pollution and/or destruction of an ecological system that was once pivotal to the areas it inhabits. The recommended courses of action include fishing regulation, sustainable fisheries and reduction of pollution.

Political and governmental organizations that have a vested interest in the weakfish population include the Environmental Protective Agency, the World Nature Organization, the Department of Food and Agriculture, various state conservancy groups and grassroots organizations such as Greenpeace. Although the weakfish may not be a highly sought after fish commercially, as mentioned above it certainly plays a major role in its environment. These organizations incorporate rules to prevent further decreases in the weakfish population by instituting fishing regulations, such as limits on catches and the methods incorporated to catch fish, to sustainable fishing initiatives, practices to reduce pollution and enforcement of these rules. In an area that is receiving increased attention, it has become a global effort to restore and replace the world’s fish populations and this is not limited merely to the weakfish.