IMPORTANT Fluke and Seabass Regulation Update

[Angler Paul]

IMPORTANT Fluke and Seabass Regulation Update 2/28/18
By Paul Haertel

Though we had expected the fluke and seabass regulations to be set at the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council (NJMFC) meeting on 3/15/18, the setting of regulations for these two species has now been delayed until a special meeting can be scheduled in April. This is a result of decisions made at the recent Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) meeting regarding Addendum XXX for seabass. Several positive changes in the way seabass are managed were made at that meeting. One in particular is a smoothing over approach that can be used to adjust MRIP numbers that appear to be way out of line. For example, the MRIP numbers for Wave 3 (May-June) in 2017 showed that New Jersey harvested an extraordinarily high number of seabass. We will now be able to smooth over that number based on what was harvested during that period in prior years. This is a good thing as it may very well result in us being able to liberalize our regulations this year. Our Bureau of Marine Fisheries has worked diligently on this issue but must have their methodology approved by the ASMFC management board that is not scheduled to meet until 3/20/18. Therefore, the NJMFC cannot set regulations until sometime after this meeting. Further, our council is seeking to close or eliminate the gap from when fluke season closes until when seabass season opens so they have elected to wait until the special meeting in April to set the regulations for both species.
However, the regulations for blackfish and porgies are still expected to be set at the council meeting on 3/15/18. Regarding blackfish, we are mandated to take a 2% cut. The regulations for April will almost certainly remain the same but it looks like the one fish season will begin on 8/1 rather than 7/16 and our bag limit will be reduced from 6 fish to 5 fish from 11/16-12/31. Various other options will be available at this meeting. As with the other species, the options will be shown, comments taken and then the council will make their decision. There is better news on porgies as we will be allowed to increase our harvest by 59%. This will allow New Jersey to have a year-round season. Previously our season was closed from March 1st to June 30th. The bag and size limits will remain the same, 50 fish at 9”.
The NJMFC meeting will be held at 5PM on Thursday 3/15/18 at the Stafford Township Municipal Building located at 260 East Bay Av. in Manahawkin. The public is encouraged to attend and give their opinion on any of the proposals. JCAA will keep you posted as to specific options as they become available via our newsletter and on our Facebook page.