NOAA Fisheries Announces the 2022-2023 Recreational Fishing Season for Black Sea Bass in the South Atlantic Region

NOAA Fisheries Announces the 2022-2023 Recreational Fishing Season for Black Sea Bass in the South Atlantic Region

The 2022-2023 recreational fishing season for black sea bass in federal waters of the South Atlantic, south of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina (35°15.19′ N. latitude), will open April 1, 2022, at 12:01 a.m., local time, and will close April 1, 2023, at 12:01 a.m., local time.

The recreational fishing season for black sea bass in the South Atlantic region begins on April 1st and ends when the recreational catch limit is predicted to be met.

Estimates indicate recreational landings for the 2022-2023 fishing year will be below the 2022-2023 recreational catch limit. Therefore, NOAA Fisheries estimates that black sea bass will be open for the entire 2022-2023 recreational fishing year.

Why This Announcement Is Happening:

NOAA Fisheries projects that the 2022-2023 recreational catch limit of 366,510 pounds whole weight will not be met as recreational landings in the past three fishing years with available data were substantially below this value.

This announcement is in compliance with the current regulations which require NOAA Fisheries to announce the length of the recreational season.

Click here to learn more about black sea bass in South Carolina!