Sea Bass and Fluke Regulation Update

[Angler Paul]

Sea Bass and Fluke Regulations Update
By Paul Haertel 2nd VP JCAA

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.

UPDATE – 2/21/13
I listened in on the sea bass portion of ASMFC webinar today. The commission voted for option 4 of Addendum XXIII which is for Ad Hoc Regional Measures. They also approved the 1 million pound increase that the MAMFC previously approved. Our state will now be in the region with the states to our north. This will result in New Jersey and the other northern states having to develop regulations intended to reduce their catch by about 32-34%. The exact reduction percentage will be calculated within the next few days after which the States will have to come up with proposals that meet the mandated reduction. This may take time and therefore it is unknown if our State will have any proposed regulations approved by the ASMFC in time for the advisors meeting. The size limit is expected to remain at 12 ½” but the bag limit may be reduced. Our season will be shortened significantly and I anticipate that we will have a lengthy mid-season closure. Though that is no good, it would likely allow sea bass season to be open after the fluke season closes. At least that would give inshore fishermen something to fish for as not many stripers will have arrived and the limit on blackfish at that time of the year will probably be only one.

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 is 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.

17 ½” with a season from 5/11 – 9/4 for a total of 117 days
17 ½” with a season from 5/18 – 9/16 for a total of 122 days
17 ½” with a season from 5/24 – 9/22 for a total of 122 days
18” with a season from 5/25 – 10/2 for a total of 131 days
18” with a season from 5/2 – 9/12 for a total of 135 day
18” with a season from 5/4 – 9/29 for a total of 149 days

[Jay]

As usual, thank you for the information.

[Inishmore3]

I'd like to read what Tony Bogan thinks of the sea bass situation and what might a season look like in 2013,

As for fluke I would pick the last one. Most days. Don't give up a half an inch for a shorter season. Go for the longest season you can get,

[Garone Custom Rods]

Originally Posted by Inishmore3

I'd like to read what Tony Bogan thinks of the sea bass situation and what might a season look like in 2013,

As for fluke I would pick the last one. Most days. Don't give up a half an inch for a shorter season. Go for the longest season you can get,

Agreed!

[Knot Guilty]

Paul, thanks for the info. Wasn't there an 18 1/2" - 5 fish limit with a longer season than the above options as a proposal ? Is that one still on the table ?

[broken bobber]

yep..... keep giving away days .... they'll never learn....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdBJEyaOTEw

[Jay]

Originally Posted by broken bobber

yep..... keep giving away days .... they'll never learn....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdBJEyaOTEw

I'll definitely take this option:

18” with a season from 5/4 – 9/29 for a total of 149 days

[Angler Paul]

Yes, there are other options being considered including ones with an 18 1/2" size limit and ones with a split size limit. However, at this point they are all preliminary as I had stated. Also I just received some additional info. that I added to my initial post. However, so you don't have to read through it all again here it is:
UPDATE – 2/21/13
Though I did not listen in on the fluke portion of the ASMFC meeting I have been told that there is a chance that New Jersey may not have to reduce by 15%. However, this will be dependant on what other states do. The way I understand it, is that if their regulations are conservative enough to ensure that their quotas are not likely to be exceeded then New Jersey might not have to reduce by 15%. There is even a possibility that we could have the same regulations as last year. However, all this will take time so it is unlikely that we will know for sure by the advisors meeting or even the NJMFC meeting.

[SaltLife1980]

i like this one.. Long season

18” with a season from 5/4 – 9/29 for a total of 149 days

[JBird]

A slot fish or 2 would be nice, 2 @ 17 and 3 @ 18. My 2 cents.