Stats from NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Department of Interior have pegged the number of saltwater anglers in New Jersey at anywhere between 500,000 and 1.5 million over the past 20 years. Yet as of December 30, 2024, there were 117,809 individuals and 1,264 for-hire vessels registered for 2024 in the free New Jersey Saltwater Recreational Registry Program.
Additionally, there were 114,649 resident freshwater fishing licenses sold in New Jersey in 2024, along with 17,114 non-resident freshwater licenses for the season.
According to the New Jersey Bureau of Marine Fisheries, the preliminary 2024 striped bass bonus harvest for 2024 was 50,620 pounds from 7,118 fish, which represents 25% of the total unused commercial quota on striped bass in New Jersey.
The Bureau of Marine Fisheries noted that individual anglers harvested 1,124 fish while those on party/charter boats harvested 5,994 fish. Currently, the 2024 bonus harvest (in numbers of fish) ranks second highest in the time series with 2023 ranking the highest.
New Jersey is allocated a commercial harvest quota of striped bass under the Striped Bass Interstate Fisheries Management Plan as administered by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). Since New Jersey does not allow netting or sale of striped bass, this quota was transferred to the recreational fishing sector resulting in the origin of the Striped Bass Bonus Program (SBBP).
The current allocation from ASMFC is 200,798 pounds to be distributed between individual anglers and party/charter boats. NJFW initiated the program in 1990 to allow the harvest of an additional striped bass for New Jersey recreational anglers. According to the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife, while the program has been modified throughout the years, the main goal of the SBBP is to allow anglers to participate in the management process while enjoying their favorite recreational pastime.
“It is a popular program and provides valuable data for assessing stock status and fishing trends, making it an integral part of New Jersey’s striped bass management,” the Division noted at their SBBP page.
Anglers should remember that SBBP permits issued in 2024 are not valid in 2025. To receive notification of SBBP updates, regulation updates, emergency closures, special notices, etc., please subscribe to the free NJ Marine Fisheries e-mail list.
