Last week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration unexpectedly announced the temporary closure of the recreational black sea bass fishery in federal waters north of Cape Hatteras, N.C., for 180 days in response to recent landing data that showed recreational fishermen may catch more than double their annual quota by the end of the year. This closure began Monday, Oct. 5, 2009. 

This ruling is based on NOAA findings stating that landing data and scientific analysis shows recreational fishermen have reached their quota and could exceed their 1.14 million-pound harvest limit by as much as 84 to 225 percent if the recreational fishery is not closed.

It is important to note, however, that state rules apply, allowing anglers to fish out three miles from land. One such state is New Jersey, allowing anglers to harvest black sea bass with a possession limit of 25 fish and a minimum size limit of 12.5 inches.

Although individual state waters remain open for the black sea bass, party and charter boat operators with a Federal black sea bass permit are prohibited from harvesting black sea bass from both State and Federal waters as of the effective closure date.

Read the complete story at ESPN Sports.