The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) is seeking public input on preferred approaches to liberalize the state’s recreational black sea bass measures for 2026. Per recent decisions of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, a coastwide harvest increase of 20% has been authorized.
DMF will be holding a virtual public scoping meeting on Tues., 1/20, at 6:00 PM. Register for the Zoom-based meeting at https://tinyurl.com/3sd2yyt8
Additionally, DMF has created a short survey to collect input on what management measure (i.e., bag limit, size limit, season length) should be prioritized for changing. The survey is available at https://tinyurl.com/bdz43pmx.
Please respond by January 18 so that we can review and discuss public preferences and potential management options at the scoping meeting.
Black sea bass are a coastwide species managed jointly by the Atlantic coastal states and federal partners. While these entities set harvest targets, it is the goal of DMF to select management measures within that framework that will best serve our recreational fishing communities. All states are expected to submit a range of proposed measures to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission for review and approval in mid-March. DMF anticipates announcing the 2026 recreational black sea bass measures by early April.
For more information, contact Nichola Meserve at nichola.meserve@mass.gov or 978-290-1672.
Visit https://www.mass.gov/orgs/division-of-marine-fisheries
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