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
Other contacts:
Media: Kim Amendola, 727-551-5707
Allison Garrett, 727-551-5750