May 9, 2023 — There could be fewer striper keepers under new size limits recently imposed by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s striped bass management board.
The minimum size allowable for an angler to keep a fish remains the same at 28 inches, but the maximum size has been reduced. Last year, someone could keep a fish that was up to 38 inches long. The approved emergency action will drop that to 31 inches.
The move comes in hopes of preserving striped bass that were spawned in 2015, and part of an overall attempt to return the striped bass population to previous levels by 2029.
“It’s an emergency measure to protect the fish,” said Richard Herb, the acting chair of New Jersey’s Marine Fisheries Council. He said the New Jersey council takes direction form the Atlantic States commission, which would usually present rules for evaluation in advance of a vote.