njdiver, I was diving this week and someone asked what the limit on Sea Bass was and I said that there were new regs that extended the possesion limit of 15 for Black Sea Bass to September 18th. I was told this was wrong and there hasn't been an update. I checked the NJ web site and they do not have an update. Can you clarify? Thanks, Alan Poppy
Re: NOAA Fisheries Announces Recreational Regs for Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass
NMFS is implementing the following measures that would apply in the Federal waters of the EEZ. These measures apply to all federally permitted party/charter vessels with applicable summer flounder, scup, or black sea bass permits, regardless of where they fish, unless the state in which they land implements measures that are more restrictive. These measures are intended to achieve, but not exceed, the previously established recreational harvest limits for these fisheries (December 30, 2014; 79 FR 78311).
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Minimum size, Possession limit, Season Black Sea Bass .............. 12.5 inches (31.8 cm) ....... 15 fish ........... May 15–September 18, October 22–December 31.”
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“Black Sea Bass Recreational Management Measures
This final rule implements the Council and Commission’s recommended recreational management measures to constrain landings for black sea bass in 2015: A 12.5-inch (31.8-cm) minimum size, 15-fish possession limit, and open seasons of May 15–September 21 and October 22–December 31. The 2015 black sea bass recreational harvest limit is 2.33 million lb (1,056 mt). The final 2014 landings were 3.65 million lb (1,656 mt). During development of these and the state measures, projected landings for 2014 were 3.45 million lb (1,565 mt), which requires a 33-percent reduction in landings relative to the 2015 recreational harvest limit. Recreational black sea bass catch occurs primarily in state waters in the states of New Jersey through Massachusetts (i.e., the northern region). Since 2011, the management measures in the northern region have been more restrictive than in Federal waters. The northern states, through the Commission process, have implemented 2015 measures to achieve the 33-percent reduction in landings from each state that was projected to be needed when this action was under development. This reduction, in combination with the Council’s recommendation of maintaining the status quo measures in Federal waters, are intended to achieve, but not exceed, the recreational harvest limit and recreational annual catch limit in 2015. The southern region states (Delaware through Cape Hatteras, North Carolina) have implemented state waters measures that are equivalent to the Federal measures. The states of Maine and New Hampshire have implemented recreational black sea bass measures for the first time in response to the stock being more commonly found in these states’ waters. In 2012, recreational black sea bass catch exceeded the annual catch limit of 2.52 million lb (1,143 mt) by 129 percent. In 2013, recreational black sea bass catch exceeded the annual catch limit of 2.9 million lb (1,315 mt) by 5 percent. Because the average catch for these two years exceeds the average annual catch limit from the same timeframe, as described in the regulations, an accountability measure is applicable to the 2015 fishery. An accountability measure was implemented for the 2014 fishing year because of the 2012 overage. The 2015 measures are functionally the same as those implemented last year to comply with the accountability measure (12.5-inch (31.8-cm) minimum size, 15-fish possession limit, and 201-day fishing season). Continuing these regulations preserves the accountability measure that was applied last year; as such, no further accountability measures are necessary for 2015.
Additional Regulatory Change
This rule also clarifies that the regulations for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass possession limits are per person, per trip. While it is clear in the FMP and subsequent amendments and framework adjustments that the possession limits are intended to apply for the entirety of a fishing trip, regardless of the length of that trip, the regulations were less specific. This action corrects that oversight.”
Re: NOAA Fisheries Announces Recreational Regs for Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass
So if the dive boat is not federally permitted then these rules don't apply and, you would follow the state rules. Our boat is docked in NJ so therefore the limit is 2 black sea bass regardless where cought. Does that sound correct? Thank You, AlanPoppy
Re: NOAA Fisheries Announces Recreational Regs for Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass
Bottom line as I understand, every coastal State has control of waters up to 3 nautical miles offshore, beyond that it's federal. a State can have more restrictive regulations than federal. In this case the State [NJ] is more restrictive and takes precedence. By federal law you may legally catch 15 sea bass beyond 3 miles offshore but you CANNOT land those fish in NJ or any other adjoining State with similar restrictions. So if your beyond 3 miles offshore you may be "legal" in federal waters, but how are you going to get those fish home? Once your within 3 nautical miles of shore the more restrictive State regulations kick in. Anywhere within 3 nautical miles of shore your in violation of NJ regulations and subject to fines. So as of August 1 LANDING sea bass is closed in NJ until 10/22, unless an emergency amendment to NJ regulations is made and from what I hear is NOT going to happen this season.
Re: NOAA Fisheries Announces Recreational Regs for Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass
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