2020 North Carolina Ocean Striped Bass Regulations

Striped Bass

A slot limit for recreationally-caught striped bass will go into effect January 1, 2020 in North Carolina ocean waters.

Fishermen will be allowed to possess one striped bass per person per day that is at least 28 inches and less than 35 inches total length (fishermen may not keep a 35-inch fish). For the specific regulation, see Proclamation FF-54-2019.

Until the slot limit takes effect on January 1, the minimum size limit for ocean striped bass remains 28 inches total length with a one fish possession limit.

The slot limit is required by the recently adopted Addendum VI to Amendment 6 to the Atlantic Striped Bass Interstate Fishery Management Plan.

The new limit is designed to end overfishing and bring fishing mortality to the target level in 2020 by reducing total coastwide striped bass removals by 18%.

The latest Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) coastwide stock assessment determined that ocean migratory Atlantic striped bass are overfished and overfishing is occurring.

Amendment 6 also requires a coastwide commercial quota reduction of 18%.

For additional information, see the ASMFC news release.

The recreational regulations for striped bass in internal coastal waters of North Carolina remains unchanged.

For more information, visit the Division of Marine Fisheries website.

source: North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Marine Fisheries

Related Information

Mid Atlantic Saltwater Fishing Facts

Mid Atlantic Striped Bass EEZ Enforcement

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission

Sport Fishing Magazine "Making A Difference" Awards

Sport Fishing Magazine is sponsoring a new award called "Making A Difference".

The awards will be presented to individuals who are making a positive difference in recreational saltwater fishing.

The Making a Difference Awards program will honor five individuals from among the public nominations received through Dec. 31, 2010.

According to the magazine, the program seeks to recognize individuals who have made a positive difference to saltwater recreational fishing - the sport, the resource, the industry.

For more information, see: http://www.sportfishingmag.com/makingadifference/