(07/15) TRENTON -- Anglers interested in participating in New Jersey's popular Striped Bass Bonus program can now get permits faster and easier through a new service available on the Department of Environmental Protection's Web site, DEP Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson announced today.

"We've simplified our bonus-permitting process this season so striped bass enthusiasts can spend more time on the water enjoying what no other state on the East Coast offers: an opportunity to catch and keep a third striper," Commissioner Jackson said.

For a $2 processing fee, an angler can complete an online application and immediately print a bonus permit at home or from any computer with Internet access.

Under current striped-bass recreational size limits set by the New Jersey Legislature, anglers can harvest daily two fish at 28 inches or greater. With a bonus permit, anglers can keep daily a third striper at 28 inches or greater.

After using the online permit, an angler can simply return to the DEP's Web site to report the harvest of the bonus fish and then become eligible to receive another bonus permit.

In addition to helping anglers get their bonus permits right away, the electronic system provides real-time monitoring of the bonus program quota, enabling the DEP's Fish and Wildlife biologists to devote more time toward collecting and analyzing harvest data for striped bass and other species.

During this season, party- and charter-boat bonus permits will continue to be distributed by mail until the Web service can process multiple permits. Individual anglers can also choose to get bonus permits by mail.

In the Atlantic Ocean, up to three miles from shore, striped bass can be caught year round; farther than three miles from shore, the waters are closed to striped-bass fishing. In all other marine waters, the striper season runs from March 1 to Dec. 31. In the Delaware River and its tributaries - from the Route 1 bridge in Trenton to the Salem River - the season is open from March 1-31 and from June 1 to Dec. 31.

Also, this year the Division of Fish and Wildlife will introduce an online Striped Bass Bonus Program Volunteer Angler Survey.

For more details on New Jersey's striped bass bonus program, including online and mail-in bonus permit applications, and harvest reporting, visit www.njfishandwildlife.com/bonusbass.htm.