NJ Anglers Encouraged to Provide Comment on Black Sea Bass - The Fisherman
Login

NJ Anglers Encouraged to Provide Comment on Black Sea Bass

February 16, 2026 by Jim Hutchinson, Jr.
The New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council Black Sea Bass Advisory Committee met on February 12th to review three proposed concepts to meet the 15-17% liberalization of black sea bass for 2026/2027.  Until New Jersey receives the exact liberalization amount from the ASMFC later this month, the three options in this chart provide the state with a baseline for formulating final regulations.  Final versions of these concepts will be presented at the March 26th meeting of the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council. 
The New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council Black Sea Bass Advisory Committee met on February 12th to review three proposed concepts to meet the 15-17% liberalization of black sea bass for 2026/2027. Until New Jersey receives the exact liberalization amount from the ASMFC later this month, the three options in this chart provide the state with a baseline for formulating final regulations. Final versions of these concepts will be presented at the March 26th meeting of the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council.

If you have thoughts on black sea bass regulations for 2026, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) would like to hear from you!

Anglers are being asked to complete the 2026 BSB Measures form only once, and those without internet access may request a paper copy by calling the Marine Resources Administration at 609-748-2020.  Submissions must be received by 11:59 p.m. on March 11, 2026, in order to be considered.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and the Mid Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (MAFMC) recently voted to allow New Jersey to liberalize black sea bass regulations between a projected 15 to 17% in 2026. The NJDEP’s Division of Fish & Wildlife, and the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council are asking anglers to complete the 2026 BSB Measures form in order to collect input from New Jersey saltwater anglers and business owners.

Don’t forget, New Jersey anglers can also provide comments directly to TBauer@asmfc.org in advance of the ASMFC’s Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Board (Board) meeting on Thursday, March 5 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.  At that meeting of the Board which will be open to the public via webinar, members will review and consider approval of the range of options for 2026 and 2027 black sea bass recreational management measures for state waters.

While many New Jersey anglers had expected an “across the board” liberalization of 20% for black sea bass regulations on a state-by-state basis, the Board voted on February 4th to award a 27% increase allowance in black sea bass in 2026 to New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, with Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina getting 16.5%, and New Jersey receiving whatever liberalization percentage was left over, now thought to be anywhere from 15 to 17%.

It is expected during that webinar meeting of the Board that New Jersey’s final percentage of liberalization, expected to come in anywhere from 15% to 17%, will get approved.  New Jersey anglers wishing to have their public comments included in an official package of “supplemental materials” to be reviewed by the Board at that meeting have until 5 p.m. on February 24, 2026 to send comments to TBauer@asmfc.org so that commissioners and Board members know exactly what you think about black sea bass measures.

Black sea bass measures for 2026 will be finalized in New Jersey on Thursday, March 26 when the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council meets at 5 p.m. at the Stafford Township Firehouse at 133 Stafford Avenue in Manahawkin.  For details call 609-292-7794.

Create a free account, or log in.

Gain access to read this content, plus limited free content.

Yes! I would like to receive new content and updates.