March 31, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
KEY MESSAGE:
- The 2021-2022 recreational fishing season for black sea bass in federal waters of the South Atlantic, south of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina (35°15.19′ N. latitude), will open April 1, 2021, at 12:01 a.m., local time, and will close April 1, 2022, at 12:01 a.m., local time.
- The recreational fishing season for black sea bass in the South Atlantic region begins on April 1st and ends when the recreational catch limit is predicted to be met.
- Estimates indicate recreational landings for the 2021-2022 fishing year will be below the 2021-2022 recreational catch limit. Therefore, black sea bass will be open for the entire 2021-2022 recreational fishing year.
WHY THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS HAPPENING:
- NOAA Fisheries projects that the 2021-2022 recreational catch limit of 366,510 pounds whole weight will not be met as recreational landings in the past three fishing years with available data were substantially below this value.
- This announcement is in compliance with the current regulations which require NOAA Fisheries to announce the length of the recreational season.