Black Sea Bass size limits, trip limits, seasons, and quotas

PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO 7 DE ADMIN CODE 3507 BLACK SEA BASS SIZE LIMIT; TRIP LIMITS; SEASONS; QUOTAS (12.0 & 12.1)

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC)/ Division of Fish & Wildlife will conduct a public hearing on Wednesday August 26, 2015 at 6:00 PM regarding proposed amendments to 7 DE Admin Code 3507 Black Sea Bass Size Limit; Trip Limits, Seasons; Quotas (12.0 & 12.1). The hearing will be held in the Dover Public Library, located at 35 Loockerman Plaza, Dover, DE 19901.

This action proposes to adopt provisions consistent with federal measures for the recreational black sea bass fishery in compliance with Addendum XXV to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass.  The Department previously modified the opening and closings dates for the recreational black sea bass fishery through emergency action (Secretary’s Order Nos. 2015-F-0020 & 2015-F-0027); however, further action is required to subsequently adopt these dates and additional black sea bass season dates through the normal regulatory process.   Specifically, this action seeks to formally adopt open seasons for the black sea bass fishery of May 15 – September 21 and October  22 – December 31 and corresponding closed seasons of January 1 – May 14 and September 22 – October 21.   The proposed amendments may be inspected at the Department’s offices located at 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, or are available by calling the Fisheries Section at (302) 739-9914.

The hearing record on the proposed addition of a new 7 DE Admin Code 3507 will be open August 1, 2015.  Individuals may submit written comments or request additional information regarding the proposed changes via e-mail to Lisa.Vest@state.de.us or via the USPS to Lisa Vest, Hearing Officer, DNREC, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901 (302) 739-9042.

THIS IS THE ONLY TIME THIS NOTICE WILL APPEAR.