Black Sea Bass, Summer Flounder and Weakfish Regulation Changes

[CaptTB]

The NJ DEP has announced new regulations for the recreational and commercial harvest of black sea bass, summer flounder, and weakfish became effective in New Jersey on March 25, 2010. New Jersey's adoption of the regulations was necessary to remain in compliance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's (ASMFC) Interstate Fishery Management Plans (FMP) for these species.

The regulation changes include a reduction in the recreational black sea bass season, a minor change in the summer flounder recreational season and a recreational and commercial possession limit reduction for weakfish.

For more information on the changes, including season dates and size limits, see http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2010/marreg_changes.htm on the division's web site.

[IrishAyes]

 

Just got that in an email. Was gonna post it but you beat me to it. Thank you sir. 

[Still Running]

New Jersey summer flounder recreational season to May 29 through September 6, which includes both Memorial Day and Labor Day. The 2009 season was May 23 through September 4. The recreational possession limit and minimum size remain at 6 fish per day and 18 inches.

black sea bass season of May 22 through September 12, which is now in effect in New Jersey. The recreational black sea bass possession limit and minimum size remain at 25 fish per day and 12.5 inches.

The ASMFC's Weakfish Management Board (Board) implemented stock-wide management measures to reduce the recreational and commercial weakfish possession limit due to a determination that the Atlantic Coast weakfish stock is currently depleted and at the lowest population level since estimates have been recorded (1981-2008). The Board implemented stock-wide management measures to promote stock rebuilding, which result in a recreational possession limit of one (1) fish per angler per day. The former New Jersey recreational possession limit was six fish per angler per day.

[Tacklebox Joe]

thanks to all for the updates....

[Jeffish]

Wow, 1 weakfish per day.

[Pfishingruven]

Wow, 1 weakfish per day.

 

[bugmannj]

Sux 

[Capt. Birch]

 Thanks for the post and link guys. I see that they are posted as final but as we all remember seabass was supposed to be open year round in 2009 . Capt TB is there any truth to a possible change or add on to the final seabass numbers after the final waves are in. Heard a fairly large number being thrown around and possible add on to the current dates. Is this still a possibility?

[Pops Soul]

Yea 1 Weakfish A day, We thought 2 winter flounder a day was bad 

[Bucktail]

Unfortunately, unlike the sea bass situation, both winter flounder and weakfish stocks are in very bad shape.

[Capt. Birch]

Unfortunately, unlike the sea bass situation, both winter flounder and weakfish stocks are in very bad shape.

I have been wondering and waiting for a place to post a few questions. I guess this  the spot for now. I have been seeing people post on many sites their distaste and some places(not here) their out right disgust with the winter flounder and weakfish regs. They seem really up set about the small bag limits and  do not seem to have any concern about the stocks health(as bucktail points out.) Is there people out there that really think weakfish and winter flounder are in good shape and its just some big plan to keep fisherman from keeping fish? Just wondering are people p*ssed off at low stocks or low limits?