Changes to the striped bass regulations look to be on the horizon for the 2026 season. Anglers in Rhode Island and Connecticut and all along the Atlantic Coast are getting their chance to weigh in on how the ASMFC will manage the species during a series of public hearings being held through September 30, 2025.
These hearings will be used to gather public input on Draft Addendum III to Amendment 7 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass, which considers management measures to support rebuilding the stock by 2029. The Draft Addendum also addresses commercial tagging programs, a coastwide definition of total length for size limit regulations, and changes to the Maryland recreational season baseline.
The following are the meetings taking place in New England this week.
Monday, September 15 from 6 to 8 p.m.
In-Person Hearing
CT DEEP Marine Headquarters Boating Education Center (“Back Building”)
333 Ferry Road, Old Lyme, CT
For more information, contact Matt Gates at 860-876-4393.
Tuesday, September 16 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Hybrid meeting [in-person and virtual]. Click for webinar registration
On the URI Bay Campus, at Corless Auditorium
215 South Ferry Road, Narraganset, RI
For more information contact Jason McNamee at 401-222-4700.
For those who cannot attend any in-person or virtual hearings, the Commission will also post a recording of the hearing presentation on the Commission’s YouTube page so that stakeholders may watch the presentation and submit comment at any time during the comment process.
The public is encouraged to submit comments at any time during the public comment period but no later than 11:59 p.m. on October 3, 2025.
There are four ways to submit comments:
- Written comments via Atlantic Striped Bass Action Tracker or comments@asmfc.org
- The public comment form, which was developed to facilitate the gathering of input on the Draft Addendum’s specific options
- Mailed written comments addressed to Emilie Franke, FMP Coordinator, at 1050 N. Highland St., Suite 200 A-N, Arlington, Virginia 22201
- Verbal comments provided at any of the scheduled public hearings
For more information, please contact Emilie Franke at efranke@asmfc.org.
