Interstate Fisheries Management

Black sea bass, Centropristis striata, are highly sought by both commercial and recreational fishermen throughout the Mid-Atlantic. It is one of four species jointly managed by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Amendment 12 established a biomass threshold based on the spring survey. Specifically, the biomass threshold is defined as the maximum value of a three-year moving average of the Notheast Fisheries Science Center spring survey catch-per-tow (1977-1979 average of 0.98 kg/tow). The 2006 biomass index was 0.6 (the three-year average for 2005-2007). Based on this value, the stock is overfished. The 2000-2002 year classes were strong, some of the highest since 1968. The 2005 and 2006 year class results show a below average year class.

The fishery has been subjected to lengthy closures and some significant quota overages in recent years. Fishery closures occurring as a result of filled/exceeded quotas can result in increased discards of legal sized black sea bass in mixed fisheries for the remainder of the closed period. Significant financial hardship on the part of the fishing industry can also result due to a decrease in market demand caused by a fluctuating supply. To address these issues, the Management Board enacted Addendum VI to provide a mechanism for initial possession limits, triggers and adjusted possession limits to be set during the annual specification setting process.

In 2006, commercial landings were 2.8 million pounds. Recreational landings ranged from a low of 1.3 million pounds in 1998 to a high of 12.5 million pounds in 1986 Recreational landings in 2006 were about 1.98 million pounds.

Commercial landings by state have varied over the years. New Jersey landings were the highest each year from 1994 to 1997 and again in 2004 and 2005. Virginia had the highest landings from 1998 to 2001. In addition, although Massachusetts has a 12" TL size limit for black sea bass, landings in that state almost doubled from 1998 to 1999 and increased again to 962 thousand pounds in 2002. In 2006, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Maryland had the highest landings by state. <species profile> <stock status> <habitat fact sheet>

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