ANNAPOLIS (May 27, 2011) - The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has released the 2011 black sea bass season and catch limits. From now until October 11, anglers may possess up to 25 black sea bass, 12.5 inches or larger, per day. The season will reopen for two months between November 1 and the end of the year.
“Maryland fisheries managers, biologists and anglers have worked conscientiously with our partner agencies to conserve and protect the black sea bass, and preserve this opportunity to catch one of our most popular species for Maryland’s coastal fishermen,” said Fisheries Service Director Tom O’Connell. “This is a good example of successful cooperative fisheries management.”
The black sea bass fishery is managed cooperatively by the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (MAFMC) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), which set overall conservation and harvest goals for fish populations that are shared between state and federal waters. Maryland fisheries managers, working with DNR’s Coastal Fisheries Advisory Committee (CFAC), were able to identify a preferred management strategy within the sustainable harvest limits established for the Atlantic coast. The CFAC is composed of representatives of local tackle stores, conservation organizations, sport fishing organizations and charter boat captains.
Any angler who catches a black sea bass measuring 20 inches or longer may register it as a citation award eligible fish and will receive free admission to the grand finale of the 2011 Maryland Fishing Challenge during the Maryland Seafood Festival at Sandy Point State Park on September 10. Simply bring your eligible fish to an authorized citation award center (certain tackle shops and charter boats) to receive your entry ticket and invitation to attend the event. For details, visit http://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/challenge/.
A list of citation Award species and sizes is located at http://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/challenge/index.asp?p=species.