After initially setting the Massachusetts recreational bag limit for black sea bass at 3 fish per person with a minimum length of 14 inches, for the 2013 season from May 11 through October 31, an adjustment of the daily bag limit has been made. There is an increase of one fish for a total of 4 fish per angler, per day, and the minimum length remains set at 14 inches.
In February, the ASMFC approved an addendum to the interstate fishery management plan that allows the states from Massachusetts through New York to adjust their 2013 recreational black sea bass limits on a regional or state-by-state basis. As Massachusetts is unique in that its fishery is most active in the late spring and early summer months, MarineFisheries moved to address its black sea bass limits unilaterally.
Each state in the region must implement regulations to reduce its recreational black sea bass harvest by 32% compared to 2012. This is because the fishery’s estimated coastwide harvest of 2.99 million pounds in 2012 exceeds the 2013 harvest limit (2.26 million pounds). Nearly 1.1 million pounds of the coastwide 2012 harvest is attributable to Massachusetts.
According to recreational fishery statistics, 72% of Massachusetts 2012 recreational black sea bass fishery occurred during May and June. To accommodate a 32% reduction, MarineFisheries either had to substantially limit fishing opportunities during this time period or make substantial reductions to the per-angler bag limit throughout the entire fishing season. MarineFisheries is aware that the late spring and early summer is critical to the recreational fishery and opted to reduce bag limits rather than the season. However, while drafting this proposal, it came to our attention that a certain segment of the for-hire industry would be severely disadvantaged by low bag limits. Accordingly, MarineFisheries developed an alternative fishery proposal for interested for-hire operators that would exempt them from lower bag limits provided they adhere to additional closed periods that are estimated to reduce their harvest by 32%. The ASMFC has approved our implementing one set of regulations for both the private angler and for-hire fisheries, while allowing interested for-hire operators to opt into the alternative (closed season) regulations.
For 2013 the following recreational limits will apply for black seas bass:
Private Angler:
May 11 through October 31 – 4 fish at 14 inches
For-Hire:
May 11 through October 31 – 4 fish at 14 inches
Closed Season For-Hire (LOA required*):
May 11 through June 14 – 10 fish at 14 inches
July 1 through August 11 – 20 fish at 14 inches
September 1 through October 10 – 20 fish at 14 inches
* To participate in the Closed Season For-Hire Black Sea Bass Fishery, permit holders must apply for a Letter of Authorization (LOA) from MarineFisheries by no later than May 1, 2013. Please visit: www.mass.gov to see the conditions that will apply and to request an LOA.
