hartattack
Angler
Here's a chance for NY to join its neighboring states to provide input to upcoming Sea Bass regs. I copied this from NJ site::
Immediate Action Needed For Seabass
First of all, I apologize in advance for this long winded message and the short time to react but this is really important! If we do nothing right now, we might be facing stricter regs for Seabass in 2026 and 2027 in spite of the stocks being rebuilt to 2X of the target set by fisheries management. See the chart attached below which is the Fisheries Management’s own assessment.
Here's an article Jim Hutchinson from the Fisherman Magazine just published on the same subject and how we recreational anglers have been getting screwed
We suffered through the restrictive measures in the past to rebuild the stocks and that’s worked for the fish and now it’s time they work for the fishermen… Time for us to take this fishery back and if you want to take a stand and fight, you need to take the time to read this and take the suggested actions right now or before 5:00 PM Wednesday July 30th.
Please read on for details and action items to get involved
Me and some key influential people (list below) who have been involved in similar fights before, met a few weeks ago to talk about what needs to be done to give us the best opportunity to get some movement going to push for more favorable Seabass regulations.
The next Mid Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Council and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission joint meeting on Seabass will be held August 13th and this is where they start to talk about what our measures will be for both 2026 and 2027.
And get this… In spite of the overabundance of Seabass, a new science study is predicting a decline in the biomass due to possible unfavorable spawning conditions in the future and advocating for a reduction instead of more favorable measures.
What our team decided to do is take a bottoms up and tops down approach to see if we could influence the coming decisions. Bottoms up meaning getting the public to submit comments prior to the meetings in favor of increasing our catch limits. Tops down by arranging some key meetings with some recent high level NOAA appointees that seem to be more fishermen and common sense friendly. Those meetings will take place next week.
So here’s what we need from all of you before 5PM on Wednesday, July 30th which is when public comments close for this next meeting..
1)Copy and paste the text below. Feel free to personalize it with your thoughts and go to this link to submit
them
mafmc.knack.com
Subject: Request for Consideration of Liberalized Measures for Black Sea Bass in 2026/2027
Dear Members of the Black Seabass Fisheries Management Council,
I am writing as a concerned and engaged member of the recreational fishing community to respectfully request your consideration of more liberal measures for Black Sea Bass management in the 2026/2027 fishing season. As recent stock assessments have shown, Black Sea Bass populations have exceeded their biomass targets by over 100%, a clear indication of a healthy and sustainable stock.
Given this exceptional stock status, I urge the Council to consider expanding access to this abundant resource by revisiting current harvest restrictions. These measures, while originally necessary for stock rebuilding, now appear overly conservative in light of the most recent scientific data. Increased access—whether through a longer season, higher possession limits, or more inclusive quotas—would benefit a wide range of stakeholders, including charter operators, recreational anglers, and coastal communities whose economies depend on a vibrant, accessible fishery.
Science-based management is the foundation of successful conservation, and the recent data confirm that Black Sea Bass are thriving under the current framework. It is only fair and logical to allow regulations to evolve in response to this success. These regulations have worked for the fish, so now it’s time for them to work for the fishermen too. Maintaining overly restrictive measures in the face of abundant stock undermines public trust and risks alienating the very communities who have supported conservation efforts in good faith.
I appreciate the Council’s continued dedication to sustainable fisheries management and trust that you will weigh this request seriously as you begin planning for the 2026/2027 season.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Affiliation or Group, if applicable]
2) Please copy this NYANGLER link and share it via email, social media and other fishing groups you are involved in to spread the word and ask them to share it as well so we get as many comments on record as possible. This is not just a NJ issue so feel free to share with people in our neighboring states that will be affected as well like NY, CT, RI, PA, VA. ME, NH, DE and MD.
3) Stay tuned here for updates and if you can, set aside Wednesday August 13th from 1 - 2:30 PM to get into the meeting webinar and be prepared to give your verbal comments as well.
Please click here to join the meeting here if prompted, enter access code: 2347 766 8181 and password: nhHDUdTp233)
To join by phone only, dial 415-655-0001 and enter access code 2347 766 8181
Here’s our team which I’d like to acknowledge and thank for getting together on such short notice. These people continue to volunteer their personal time, energy, experience and influence to come up with this plan and have been involved with protecting our recreational fishing rights for many years.
- Jim Hutchinson Managing Editor Fisherman Magazine
- Greg Hueth NJ Marine and Mid Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Council
- Dr Pat Donnelly NJ Marine Fisheries Council
PLEASE STOP WHAT YOU’RE DOING RIGHT NOW AND TAKE A STAND WITH US. SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS NOW AND SHARE IT WITH AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE AND LET’S GET THIS DONE! IF YOU DO NOTHING, NOTHING IS GOING TO CHANGE… DO IT NOW
Immediate Action Needed For Seabass
First of all, I apologize in advance for this long winded message and the short time to react but this is really important! If we do nothing right now, we might be facing stricter regs for Seabass in 2026 and 2027 in spite of the stocks being rebuilt to 2X of the target set by fisheries management. See the chart attached below which is the Fisheries Management’s own assessment.
Here's an article Jim Hutchinson from the Fisherman Magazine just published on the same subject and how we recreational anglers have been getting screwed
Editor’s Log: False Promises - The Fisherman
This summer I wrote of “the irony of 21st century fisheries management” when referring to bluefin tuna management; too many...
www.thefisherman.com
We suffered through the restrictive measures in the past to rebuild the stocks and that’s worked for the fish and now it’s time they work for the fishermen… Time for us to take this fishery back and if you want to take a stand and fight, you need to take the time to read this and take the suggested actions right now or before 5:00 PM Wednesday July 30th.
Please read on for details and action items to get involved
Me and some key influential people (list below) who have been involved in similar fights before, met a few weeks ago to talk about what needs to be done to give us the best opportunity to get some movement going to push for more favorable Seabass regulations.
The next Mid Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Council and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission joint meeting on Seabass will be held August 13th and this is where they start to talk about what our measures will be for both 2026 and 2027.
And get this… In spite of the overabundance of Seabass, a new science study is predicting a decline in the biomass due to possible unfavorable spawning conditions in the future and advocating for a reduction instead of more favorable measures.
What our team decided to do is take a bottoms up and tops down approach to see if we could influence the coming decisions. Bottoms up meaning getting the public to submit comments prior to the meetings in favor of increasing our catch limits. Tops down by arranging some key meetings with some recent high level NOAA appointees that seem to be more fishermen and common sense friendly. Those meetings will take place next week.
So here’s what we need from all of you before 5PM on Wednesday, July 30th which is when public comments close for this next meeting..
1)Copy and paste the text below. Feel free to personalize it with your thoughts and go to this link to submit
them
Knack
mafmc.knack.com
Subject: Request for Consideration of Liberalized Measures for Black Sea Bass in 2026/2027
Dear Members of the Black Seabass Fisheries Management Council,
I am writing as a concerned and engaged member of the recreational fishing community to respectfully request your consideration of more liberal measures for Black Sea Bass management in the 2026/2027 fishing season. As recent stock assessments have shown, Black Sea Bass populations have exceeded their biomass targets by over 100%, a clear indication of a healthy and sustainable stock.
Given this exceptional stock status, I urge the Council to consider expanding access to this abundant resource by revisiting current harvest restrictions. These measures, while originally necessary for stock rebuilding, now appear overly conservative in light of the most recent scientific data. Increased access—whether through a longer season, higher possession limits, or more inclusive quotas—would benefit a wide range of stakeholders, including charter operators, recreational anglers, and coastal communities whose economies depend on a vibrant, accessible fishery.
Science-based management is the foundation of successful conservation, and the recent data confirm that Black Sea Bass are thriving under the current framework. It is only fair and logical to allow regulations to evolve in response to this success. These regulations have worked for the fish, so now it’s time for them to work for the fishermen too. Maintaining overly restrictive measures in the face of abundant stock undermines public trust and risks alienating the very communities who have supported conservation efforts in good faith.
I appreciate the Council’s continued dedication to sustainable fisheries management and trust that you will weigh this request seriously as you begin planning for the 2026/2027 season.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Affiliation or Group, if applicable]
2) Please copy this NYANGLER link and share it via email, social media and other fishing groups you are involved in to spread the word and ask them to share it as well so we get as many comments on record as possible. This is not just a NJ issue so feel free to share with people in our neighboring states that will be affected as well like NY, CT, RI, PA, VA. ME, NH, DE and MD.
3) Stay tuned here for updates and if you can, set aside Wednesday August 13th from 1 - 2:30 PM to get into the meeting webinar and be prepared to give your verbal comments as well.
Please click here to join the meeting here if prompted, enter access code: 2347 766 8181 and password: nhHDUdTp233)
To join by phone only, dial 415-655-0001 and enter access code 2347 766 8181
Here’s our team which I’d like to acknowledge and thank for getting together on such short notice. These people continue to volunteer their personal time, energy, experience and influence to come up with this plan and have been involved with protecting our recreational fishing rights for many years.
- Jim Hutchinson Managing Editor Fisherman Magazine
- Greg Hueth NJ Marine and Mid Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Council
- Dr Pat Donnelly NJ Marine Fisheries Council
PLEASE STOP WHAT YOU’RE DOING RIGHT NOW AND TAKE A STAND WITH US. SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS NOW AND SHARE IT WITH AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE AND LET’S GET THIS DONE! IF YOU DO NOTHING, NOTHING IS GOING TO CHANGE… DO IT NOW
