C Bass Gonna Open?

[Chico]

I got this email from Cat. Monty Hawkins or Morningstar Fishing in Maryland:

The Science & Statistical and Joint Monitoring Committees met today via 'webinar'.
After several hours of evidence from the Joint Monitoring Committee and several more hours of debate by the Science and Statistical Committee, it was decided to recommend a large black sea bass quota increase to NOAA's Regional Administrator, Pat Kurkel.
It is possible that we will regain some of our sea bass season - pending action by Ms. Kurkel.
The exact quota recommended is unknown at this time. Further off still are any adjustments to our season.
My thanks to all who lobbied on fishers behalf, who wrote letters crying injustice, who would not let data-poor fisheries science destroy the last vestiges of saltwater recreational fishing's partyboat roots. My sincerest thanks to all in the fisheries community that risked perhaps even their careers to help make this day possible.

Last year's sea bass season was stolen - first by the size limit increase, then by 'emergency shutdown' when a discredited & now discontinued catch estimating system, MRFSS, calculated northern states had caught the whole coast's quota.. Perhaps I now know what a prisoner feels like on hearing that he has been exonerated by DNA evidence - but hasn't yet heard the judge's decision.
My sense is we'll still be under house arrest - that we won't get all our sea bass season back.

[CaptTB]

CLICK THIS LINK for more details.

[frugalfisherman]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe seabass season is now open for hook and line fishing if you have a commercial license. The seabass not taken by recreational fisherman on the offshore wrecks and reefs will end up on the menu at your local restaurant or at the fish market.

[CaptTB]

Originally Posted by frugalfisherman

Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe seabass season is now open for hook and line fishing if you have a commercial license. The seabass not taken by recreational fisherman on the offshore wrecks and reefs will end up on the menu at your local restaurant or at the fish market.

Yes, the commercial season in NJ (not just hook and line) is currently open for the winter one period.

It always opens on Jan. 1, regardless of what the recreational regs are. Traditionally we are fishing at the same time, this year it is just commercial. However, they still only have a very small quota (their quota was lowered just like ours) and the winter one period has traditionally been closed in a matter of weeks since it is only a portion of the total commercial quota.