The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) voted in December to approve a 20 percent liberalization of the coastwide recreational black sea bass harvest for the 2026–2027 seasons. This decision reflects improving stock conditions and represents the most meaningful regulatory relief for recreational black sea bass anglers in several years. While these federal and interstate bodies establish the overall harvest limits, the responsibility for translating that increase into season length, size limits, and bag limits falls to the individual states.
In New York, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) is now asking recreational anglers, for-hire operators, and industry stakeholders to weigh in on how that added harvest opportunity should be applied locally. The agency has opened a public survey to gather feedback on management options that could ease current restrictions while still meeting conservation requirements and compliance targets.
Survey responses are due by Monday, January 19, and NYSDEC emphasizes that broad participation is critical to ensuring New York’s final regulations reflect the needs of its recreational fishing community. Angler input will help guide decisions that could directly affect access, flexibility, and economic activity for party boats, charter fleets, and tackle shops statewide. The survey can be accessed here: Angler Feedback Survey
