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April 27, 2004

Changes in Rules for Recreational Harvest of Summer Flounder and Black Sea Bass

According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish and Wildlife, saltwater anglers should note that regulations for the recreational harvest of summer flounder (fluke) and black sea bass have changed. Modifications were made to keep New Jersey in compliance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s management plans for these two species. The new rules will help protect fish stocks, while at the same time allow the state’s saltwater recreational anglers an opportunity to participate to the fullest extent possible in the summer flounder and back sea bass fisheries.

The summer flounder recreational season, previously May 3 through October 13, is now May 8 through October 11. The recreational minimum size limit is still 16½ inches and the possession limit remains at eight fish.

The black sea bass two-segment recreational season, formerly January 1 through September 1 and September 16 through November 30, has been changed to January 1 through September 7 and September 22 to November 30. The recreational minimum size limit is still 12 inches and the possession limit remains at 25 fish.


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