Sea bass minimum length increased
In addition to the setting of fluke regulations, the Marine Fisheries Council on Thursday also increased the sea bass minimum to12 1/2 inches while everything else remains status quo. Council member Dr. Pat Donnelly said the administrative change to the sea bass minimum will probably take about three weeks as it has to be posted in the State Register. The Division of Fish and Wildlife is sending that in with the summer flounder changes, and hopes to have them in place to be included in the annual Marine Guide to regulations. The sea bass stock is presently considered overfished, but the National Marine Fisheries Service is going to look at the latest assessment to determine if the increase is really necessary. Donnelly included a provision that if NMFS approves staying at 12 inches the change in regulations will be made automatically, without having to wait for another Council meeting.
It should also be noted that the head posted over Friday's column isn't quite accurate. The Council's decision isn't really final. It has to be approved by the Commissioner, though that's usually routine in this case. There's no problem at the ASMFC and federal levels as the options considered had already been approved as being in compliance with the Management Plan.
