NOAA Fisheries Announces the 2020-2021 Recreational Fishing Season for Black Sea Bass in the South Atlantic Region

 

KEY MESSAGE:

• The 2020-2021 recreational fishing season for black sea bass in federal waters of the South Atlantic, south of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina (35°15.9′ N. latitude), will open on April 1, 2020, at 12:01 a.m., local time and remain open through March 31, 2021.
• The recreational fishing season for black sea bass in the South Atlantic region begins on April 1^st and ends when the recreational catch limit is predicted to be met.
• Estimates indicate recreational landings for the 2020-2021 fishing year will be below the 2020-2021 recreational catch limit.  Therefore, black sea bass will be open for the entire 2020-2021 recreational fishing year.

WHY THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS HAPPENING:

• NOAA Fisheries projects that the 2020-2021 recreational catch limit of 381,330 pounds whole weight will not be met because recreational landings in the past three fishing years were substantially below this amount.
• This announcement is in compliance with the current regulations which require NOAA Fisheries to announce the length of the recreational season. 

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Media: Kim Amendola, 727-551-5707

            Allison Garrett, 727-551-5750