NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

May 14, 2010
Vol. 40, No. 166

For more information, contact Craig Shirey, DNREC Fisheries Section, 302-739-9914, or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

DNREC Fisheries to hold May 21 public hearing on 2010 black sea bass season

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife will hold a public hearing concerning Tidal Finfish Regulation changes affecting the 2010 recreational fishing season for black sea bass at 6 p.m., Friday, May 21 in the DNREC Auditorium, Richardson and Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover.

Under the proposed modifications, the 2010 black sea bass season will be open from May 22 to Oct. 11, and from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31, 2010. These dates represent a longer season than those first recommended earlier this year by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Board (May 22 to Sept. 11).

The board is requiring states to implement this seasonal closure in order to keep the ASMFC’s 2010 recreational harvest cap of 1.8 million pounds from being exceeded. The 2009 harvest cap of just over 1.1 million pounds was greatly exceeded. The current 12.5-inch minimum size and 25-fish creel limit remain in place.

Citizens may send written comments to Lisa Vest, Hearing Officer, DNREC Office of the Secretary, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, or email to lisa.vest@state.de.us.

For more information on the proposed regulation changes, please visit http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Fisheries/Pages/FishingReport.aspx , or call the Fisheries Section at 302-739-9914.