2026 Regulations Recap

[Gerry Zagorski]

When is the last time our regulations actually got better, not worse?

Although the 2026 NJ regulations are not set yet, they will be in the next few months and the good news here is for the first time since I can remember, we're actually going to get some increases instead of reductions and closures.

Bluefin Tuna and Striped Bass are managed and the regulations are set at a federal level. For 2026 we got some wins here. A 17% increase for Bluefin Tuna and we fought off potential Striped Bass closures. This could have meant partial closures during the year which would have lead to catch and release only or no targeting or a combination of the 2 during certain times of the year. Instead the season remains open with no closures.

As far as Seabass, we got a 20% increase in our quota from the feds and in the next few months, the NJ State Council will decide how to utilize the additional resource and what changes can be made in our state regulations.

There is still much more work that needs to be done so the fight is not over but suffices to say, these victories are proof that things can change as long as we all stay vigilant, informed and get involved.

To the people who said, why bother, don't waste your time, we're going to get screwed again.... I hope you'll get reengaged because at least this time, people speaking up and getting involved in the process at the right time made a huge difference.

I think part of the issue we've had in the past is because we got involved too late in the process when key decisions had already been made. Point in case many, including me, would just get involved when the state met to decide our regulations and by that time quotas had already been set by the feds. All we could do at that point is debate how we were going to carve up that quota and with no increases, you'd argue over how we were going to use the same or lower quotas. This a marathon not a sprint and this time we got involved earlier at the federal level where most of the meaningful changes and decisions occur.

Thanks to all who wrote in comments and a special thanks to key people who worked behind the scenes within the various councils, committees and NOAA to get this done.

Another update from the ASMFC... I just got an email recapping the December meeting and they are keeping Summer Flounder (Fluke) status quo for 2026 and 2027. I would think that means our regs in NJ will stay the same but not 100% sure.