Recreational Fishery
Reminder of Black Sea Bass Regulation Change

September 16, 2010

This is a reminder that the 2010 open season for black sea bass in the recreational fishery has been extended. The measures outlined below apply to all state and federal waters between Maine and North Carolina.

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.

Black sea bass possession is prohibited between October 12 and October 31, inclusive.

Formerly, the 2010 season was to close after September 12. This expanded open season was approved by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) in May after final 2009 harvest estimates became available indicating that the harvest overage in 2009 was smaller than initially thought. On June 1, 2010, Commissioner Amey Marrella signed a Declaration of Regulation Change establishing the new open season, consistent with the ASMFC action. The new open season is still 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. State non-compliance with an ASMFC fishery management plan conservation measure can result in a moratorium on harvest of that species under federal law.

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.

The Department of Environmental Protection is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and service provider. In conformance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, DEP makes every effort to provide equally effective services for persons with disabilities. 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 email Marcia Bonitto, ADA Coordinator, at Marcia.Bonitto@ct.gov. Persons who are hearing impaired should call the State of Connecticut relay number 711.

Posted Wed Sep 22, 2010 6:07 pm

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