NOAA To Close Recreational Fishery for Black Sea Bass for Six Months

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Topsail Area Charter Boats
2009 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide

Offshore anglers take note of the following.

Contact: Maggie Mooney-Seus FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
978-281-9175 September 30, 2009
NOAA To Close Recreational Fishery for Black Sea Bass for Six Months
Due to Overharvest
NOAA announced today the temporarily closure of the black sea bass
recreational fishery in federal waters north of Cape Hatteras, N.C., for 180 days in
response to recent landings data that showed recreational fishermen may catch more
than double their annual quota by the end of the year. The closure will commence on
Monday, October 5, 2009.
Landings data and scientific analyses show recreational fishermen have reached
their quota and could exceed their 1.14 million pound harvest limit by as much as 84 to
225 percent if the recreational fishery is not closed.
An independent body of federal and university scientists recently determined that
the black sea bass stock has been rebuilt. However, both the scientists and the Science
and Statistical Committee of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council have
cautioned against increasing fishing of this stock for several reasons, including the
complex and poorly understood reproductive cycle, and limited information on life span
and important habitats for this species. The Council recommends catch limits for black
sea bass in federal waters.
NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth's environment, from the
depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal
and marine resources. Visit http://www.noaa.gov.


Tight lines!
Johnny