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U.S. bans sea bass fishing in its waters |
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10-1-09 The federal government is banning black sea bass angling, beginning Monday, for 180 days because the year's catch is already over the 2009 quota. The ban covers only federal waters that run from 3 to 200 miles offshore - but that is where 96 percent of New Jersey's keeper black sea bass are landed. Fish are caught inside 3 miles, but are generally too small to keep. The minimum size is 12.5 inches. The ban also would apply in state waters for anyone holding a federal permit to land black sea bass, said Maggie Mooney-Seus, of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA. The ban presents immediate problems for the region's recreational fishing industry, including party and charter boats, as fluke season was closed early this year and migratory striped bass will not arrive until the water gets colder. Anglers are limited to one tautog per day and stocks of some other traditional catches, such as weakfish, are way down this year. |
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33 Fishing Community Members Say Permit Bank, Giacalone are pluses for Gloucester
This permit bank is a true local treasure for our fishing community and related businesses. Its existence has been one of the only positive things to come to this fishing community in decades.