National Marine Fisheries Service

03/31/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/31/2021 10:26

NOAA Fisheries Announces the 2021-2022 Recreational Fishing Season for Black Sea Bass in the South Atlantic Region

KEY MESSAGE:

  • The 2021-2022 recreational fishing season for black sea bass in federal waters of the South Atlantic, south of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina (35°15.19′ N. latitude),will open April 1, 2021, at 12:01 a.m., local time, and will close April 1, 2022, at 12:01 a.m., local time.
  • The recreational fishing season for black sea bass in the South Atlantic region begins on April 1st and ends when the recreational catch limit is predicted to be met.
  • Estimates indicate recreational landings for the 2021-2022 fishing year will be below the 2021-2022 recreational catch limit. Therefore, black sea bass will be open for the entire 2021-2022 recreational fishing year.

WHY THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS HAPPENING:

  • NOAA Fisheries projects that the 2021-2022 recreational catch limit of 366,510pounds whole weight will not be met as recreational landings in the past three fishing years with available data were substantially below this value.
  • This announcement is in compliance with the current regulations which require NOAA Fisheries to announce the length of the recreational season.

    SIGN UP FOR TEXT MESSAGE ALERTS - FIND OUT ABOUT IMMEDIATE OPENINGS AND CLOSURES

NOAA's Text Message Alert Program allows you to receive important fishery related alerts via text message (SMS). Standard message & data rates may apply. You may opt-out at any time.

Text alerts you may receive include:

  • Immediate fishery openings and closures
  • Any significant changes to fishing regulations that happen quickly

Sign up for one or more of the following groups:

  • Gulf of Mexico Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
    • Text GULFRECFISH to 888777
  • Gulf of Mexico Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
    • Text GULFCOMMFISH to 888777
  • South Atlantic Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
    • Text SATLRECFISH to 888777
  • South Atlantic Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
    • Text SATLCOMMFISH to 888777
  • Caribbean Fisheries Related Alerts
    • Text CARIBFISH to 888777

Other contacts:

Media: Kim Amendola, 727-551-5707

Allison Garrett, 727-551-5750