DNREC … Black sea bass season closes on Jan. 1, 2014

Delaware anglers reminded that recreational black sea bass season
closes on Jan. 1, 2014

DOVER (Dec. 31, 2013) – To meet requirements of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), of which Delaware is a member state, the recreational black sea bass season will be closed in Delaware coastal waters on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014, in accordance with state regulations adopted Nov. 11, 2013. Federal waters, which begin 3 miles from shore, also will be closing on Jan. 1, 2014.

“The black sea bass recreational harvest limit was exceeded in 2012, so the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is requiring ASMFC states to reduce the recreational harvest in 2014,” said DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife Fisheries Administrator John Clark.

NMFS has not finalized the 2014 black sea bass management measures, but recommended management measures under consideration are for an open season from May 19 to Sept. 18 and from Oct. 18 to Dec. 31; a minimum size of 12.5 inches; and a 15-fish daily harvest limit. If NMFS determines the recommended measures do not sufficiently reduce harvest, the final management plan will differ from the recommended management measures, Clark added.

For more information on black sea bass or other Delaware fishing regulations, call the Fisheries Section at 302-739-9914 or visitwww.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Fisheries.