Sea Bass
As we go to press we received a little bit of good news regarding sea bass. On 2/14/13 the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) voted to accept the recommendation of their Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) to increase the Allowable Biological Catch (ABC) to 5.5 million pounds. This is an increase of 1 million pounds from what was initially approved. The ABC will be split with 51% going to the recreational sector and 49% to the commercial sector. However, we are still going to end up with more stringent regulations than last year as the increase will not cover the overage that occurred in the recreational sector last year. Still, regulations are expected to be much better than the draconian measures that the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) was set to consider at their upcoming meeting on 2/21/13. The various proposals included reductions for New Jersey that ranged from approximately 44-53%. At their upcoming meeting, the ASMFC will discuss various state by state and regional options but with the increase in the harvest limit the reductions will no longer be as severe. Once one of the options is approved it will be up to the individual states or regions to develop regulations that comply with that option. The New Jersey representatives to the ASMFC will work closely with the New Jersey Bureau of Marine Fisheries (NJBMF) in attempting to have the best possible options and regulations approved for our state. On 2/26/13, the NJBMF will hold an advisors meeting before the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council (NJMFC) is expected to finalize our regulations at their March 7th meeting.
Fluke
New Jersey has been forced to take approximately a 15% reduction from the recreational quota it had last year. This is due to a cut in the overall coastwide quota and the fact that New
Jersey slightly exceeded its quota last year. This may very well renew the battle that we had last year when commercial representatives on the NJMFC overruled the standing motion recommended by the advisors and the council’s recreational representatives. That resulted in a shorter season with a 17 ½” size limit and a 5 fish bag limit rather than a longer season with an 18” size limit and 8 fish bag limit that the vast majority of JCAA member clubs favored. The NJBMF has recently developed a number of preliminary options for this year including those with varying seasons and size limits. However, all have the same 5 fish bag limit that we had last year. Unfortunately, at this time no options are being considered to return the bag limit to 8 fish as there is insufficient data to increase the bag limit when increasing the size limit. The JCAA pointed out last year that it was not a good idea to give up a portion of the bag limit unless it is absolutely necessary.
While a 5 fish bag limit is really not all that bad, most fishermen would not want to reduce it any further. This could become a problem if we exceed our quota this year. Therefore, this year’s battle will be between those preferring a shorter season with a size limit of 17 ½” and those who prefer a longer season with an 18” size limit. Last year, even with the 17 ½” size limit, we had a season that lasted 147 days. This year if we keep the size limit at 17 ½” we will be forced to reduce the season to 117-122 days. On the other hand, if we raise the size limit to 18” we will probably be able to have a season ranging from 131-149 days. Below are some of the preliminary options being considered. Some of these may be modified or deleted and others will be discussed as well at the advisors meeting on 2/26/13. Ultimately, though, only a few options will be chosen for the public to have input on at the NJMFC meeting on March 7th. The meeting will begin at 4:00 PM and it will take place at the Galloway Township Library on Jimmie Leeds Rd. in Absecon. The regulations will be set immediately after the public comment portion of the meeting. Therefore, those interested are encouraged to attend and give their opinions.
The 2012 season had a 5 fish bag limit at 17 ½” and ran from 5/5 – 9/28 for a total of 147 days.
Below are just a few of the preliminary proposals being considered for this year. All have a 5 fish bag limit.
