DEP Marine Fisheries News

Declaration of Regulation Change

June 8, 2010

Under authority of Section 26-159a of the Connecticut General Statutes and Section 26-159a-22 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, the Commissioner of Environmental Protection is authorized to establish or adjust, by declaration, closed seasons, length limits, creel limits, trip limits and trip limit adjustment values in order to meet the harvest level for efficient management and to comply with interstate fishery management plans adopted by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC).

In accordance with the aforementioned authority, department SPORT FISHING regulations for black sea bass are modified as follows:

BLACK SEA BASS
Minimum Size: 12.5 inches excluding the tendril (long filament on the tail).
Creel Limit: 25 fish.
Open Season: May 22 through October 11 AND November 1 through December 31. (Closed October 12 through October 31).

Formerly, the 2010 season was to close after September 12. This expanded open season was approved by ASMFC in May after final 2009 harvest estimates became available indicating that the harvest overage in 2009 was smaller than initially thought. The new open season is expected to reduce 2010 harvest by approximately 21% relative to 2009. The 2009 coast-wide recreational harvest limit was 1.14 million pounds, but harvest topped 2 million pounds last year. The 2010 harvest limit is 1.8 million pounds, meaning some reduction in harvest is still required. As you recall, there was no closed season in 2009.

For further information, contact the DEP Marine Fisheries Division by email at dep.marine.fisheries@ct.gov, by mail at P.O. Box 719, Old Lyme, CT 06371 or by telephone at 860.434.6043 between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

In conformance with the ADA, individuals with disabilities who need this information in an alternative format to allow them to benefit and/or participate in the agency’s programs and services, should call 860.424.3051 or 860.418.5937 or e-mail Marcia Z. Bonitto, ADA Coordinator, at: Marcia.Bonitto@ct.gov. Requests for accommodations must be made at least two weeks prior to the program date
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Posted Fri Jun 11, 2010 4:17 am

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