There seems to be a lot of confusion concerning the month long closure on sea bass in federal waters beyond the three-mile limit, so let’s see if we can answer some of the most frequently asked questions. The closure is in effect from September 22nd through October 21st. You may not possess black sea bass beyond the three mile limit during that period. That means if you start your day on an inshore reef within three miles of shore and keep sea bass, then decide to run beyond the three mile limit to catch cod or blackfish, you would be in violation of federal law. If you are planning any combo trips where you will be fishing beyond three miles, do that fishing first and target sea bass on your return trip.
East End anglers are asking if they are allowed to fish the waters around Block Island since they are within three miles of shore. First, you must have a license/registry to fish that state’s (Rhode Island) waters. Since NY and RI have a reciprocity agreement, New York anglers can fish in Rhode Island state waters and Rhode Island anglers can fish NY waters. However, sea bass season in Rhode Island is closed during that September 22nd to October 21st time frame, so Block Island is not an option during the closure. If you were able to fish those waters for sea bass, you would not be able to transport those fish back to Montauk or any other NY port because you will have to travel through the EEZ. There is a recently enacted exception that applies to striped bass only. Now is probably a good time to remind folks that there is no fishing for striped bass allowed in the EEZ, and you may not target them beyond the three mile state limit at any time during the year. Like sea bass, this is a federal violation which comes with a heavy fine.
What about targeting sea bass in Long Island and Block Island Sound? While you could very possibly be fishing beyond three miles from shore, you have nothing to worry about. These waters are governed by their respective states and do not fall within the EEZ (see map).
If you have questions concerning fishing in the EEZ, you can contact Moira Kelly, Greater Atlantic Regional Coordinator for Recreational Fisheries at NOAA, at [email protected].
