04-20-2005, 04:04 PM
[size 2]Changes in Rules for the Recreational Harvest of
Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Announced
Saltwater anglers should note that the rules for the recreational harvest of summer flounder (fluke), scup (porgy) and black sea bass have changed.
The recreational fishing season for summer flounder has been changed from May 8 through October 11 to May 7 through October 10 in order for the season to once again start on a Saturday and end on a holiday (Columbus Day). The recreational minimum size will remain at 16 ½ inches and the possession limit will remain at eight fish.
The scup recreational minimum size has been reduced from 10 to 9 inches. The recreational season will remain at January 1 through February 28 and July 1 through December 31 and the possession limit will remain at 50 fish.
For black sea bass, the recreational season has been changed from January 1 through September 7 and September 22 to November 30 to January 1 through December 31. The recreational size limit will remain at 12 inches and the possession limit will remain at 25 fish.
These changes were implemented to keep New Jersey in compliance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's management plans for summer flounder, scup and black sea bass. The new rules are aimed at providing adequate protection for these fish stocks while at the same time allowing New Jersey's recreational saltwater anglers to participate to the fullest extent possible in the summer flounder, scup and black
sea bass fisheries. [/size]
[signature]
Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Announced
Saltwater anglers should note that the rules for the recreational harvest of summer flounder (fluke), scup (porgy) and black sea bass have changed.
The recreational fishing season for summer flounder has been changed from May 8 through October 11 to May 7 through October 10 in order for the season to once again start on a Saturday and end on a holiday (Columbus Day). The recreational minimum size will remain at 16 ½ inches and the possession limit will remain at eight fish.
The scup recreational minimum size has been reduced from 10 to 9 inches. The recreational season will remain at January 1 through February 28 and July 1 through December 31 and the possession limit will remain at 50 fish.
For black sea bass, the recreational season has been changed from January 1 through September 7 and September 22 to November 30 to January 1 through December 31. The recreational size limit will remain at 12 inches and the possession limit will remain at 25 fish.
These changes were implemented to keep New Jersey in compliance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's management plans for summer flounder, scup and black sea bass. The new rules are aimed at providing adequate protection for these fish stocks while at the same time allowing New Jersey's recreational saltwater anglers to participate to the fullest extent possible in the summer flounder, scup and black
sea bass fisheries. [/size]
[signature]