During their joint meeting last month, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) finalized specifications for black sea bass for the 2026-2027 fishing seasons. The Council and Commission approved a 20% increase in the black sea bass harvest limit – the first time since 2012 that a liberalization has been approved for black sea bass in the mid-Atlantic.
Black sea bass biomass is currently at its highest point since 1990 while continuing to trend upwards. Increasing access to recreational anglers was the correct decision, and ASA is pleased to see the Council and Commission moving in the right direction.
Click below to view the ASMFC and MAFMC meeting briefing materials.