Alexandria, VA – The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has notified the Secretaries of Commerce and the Interior of its finding that the State of New Jersey is out of compliance with the provisions of the Amendment 6 to the Atlantic Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This action is taken pursuant to the provisions of the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act of 1993.
“The Commission’s action today sets in motion the process wherein New Jersey may face a closure of its fall striped bass fishery,” stated ASMFC Chair John I. Nelson Jr., of New Hampshire. “While the failure of the New Jersey Senate to take action to prevent this situation is unfortunate, the Commission has demonstrated, by its action, a commitment to safeguard the long-term health and abundance of the striped bass resource. I am hopeful that New Jersey’s Senate and Governor will act quickly to correct this problem and that the legislature will consider providing its Commissioner the authority to enact fisheries regulations in a more responsive and timely manner.”
New Jersey has not implemented the recreational measures required under Amendment 6, a minimum size limit of 28 inches and a two fish bag limit per person. Size and bag limits are necessary to control fishing mortality and maintain an age structure that provides adequate spawning potential to sustain the long-term abundance of striped bass populations. To come back into compliance, New Jersey must implement the minimum size and bag limit required under Amendment 6 or a recreational management program deemed conservationally-equivalent by the Management Board.
Under the Act, the Commission must notify the State, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of the Interior once it has made a noncompliance determination. Upon notification, the Secretary of Commerce has 30 days to review the recommendation and determine appropriate action, which may include a federal moratorium on fishing for the affected species. For more information, please contact Robert Beal, Director, Interstate Fisheries Management Program, at (202) 289-6400.