New York anglers are looking forward to next Wednesday’s opening of the black sea bass season with great anticipation, given the numbers and sizes of sea bass being caught as by-catch while fishing for other species. Several sea bass of 7 and 8 pounds have already been reported by anglers targeting fluke in Long Island Sound, off of Montauk, and along the
This year’s regulations result from the need to achieve a 33-percent harvest reduction as required by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) due to perceived weaknesses in the most recent stock assessment. This is the third year in a row that New York, along with other states in the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) northern region (Massachusetts-New Jersey) have had to reduce the black sea bass harvest despite an apparent abundance of fish. A new stock assessment by the ASMFC in 2016 will be more robust and should provide relief in 2017.
The 2015 regulations include a one-inch increase in the minimum size, from 13 to 14 inches, and an increase in the possession limit during the months of November and December only, from 8 fish to 10 fish. The current eight fish possession limit will be retained from July 15 through October 31, and the open season will remain July 15 through December 31 with a minimum size limit of 14 inches during the entire open season.
Information on the most up to date marine recreational fishing regulations for all species can be found on the DEC website. Marine recreational anglers 16 years or older are reminded that they must register each year in
