In current seasons, cobia have develop into a not-so-uncommon summer time customer in New Jersey and New York, with fish reported as far north as Massachusetts. It traces up with current research that recommend the cobia’s most well-liked habitat is shifting north. The anecdotal proof of the cobia’s motion north is backed up by rising catch charges famous by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Fee, which have exceeded the allocation for the northern fishery, which is designated as waters from Virginia to Rhode Island. The ASMFC is looking for to cut back the cobia harvest by 15.9%. Learn extra on the press launch under:
The NJDEP Fish & Wildlife’s Bureau of Marine Fisheries and the Marine Fisheries Council are looking for public touch upon leisure fishing rules to attain a 15.9% harvest discount for the 2025 fishing season for Atlantic Cobia, as required by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Fee (ASMFC).
A digital public listening to can be held on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
Addendum II to Modification 1 of the ASMFC Atlantic Cobia Fishery Administration Plan (FMP) implements a brand new regional allocation framework, with northern (RI – VA) and southern (NC – GA) areas. Current (2021 – 2023) leisure harvest within the northern area has averaged 62,832 fish, which exceeds the northern area allocation of 52,825 fish.
ASMFC is due to this fact requiring the northern area to implement rules that scale back harvest by 15.9% to attain the harvest goal. All states within the northern area should implement the identical dimension and possession limits. VA and MD should additionally alter their fishing season, whereas RI to DE might preserve their present seasons.
A wide range of administration choices that obtain the required harvest discount have been developed and can be found HERE.
Members of the general public are invited to the assembly on December 18 to supply their feedback on which possibility ought to be carried out in NJ. The assembly can be held by webinar solely. Register Right here.
2024 Cobia Laws by State (Northern Area)
Rhode IslandAll YearNo Minimal SizeNo Possession Restrict
ConnecticutAll YearNo Minimal SizeNo Possession Restrict
New YorkAll Year37″1 per Angler (shore), 1 per Vessel (Boat)
New JerseyAll Year37″1 per Vessel (Boat)
DelawareAll Year37″1 per Vessel (Boat)
MarylandJune 15-September 15; 40″1 cobia per individual per day; or as much as 2 cobia per vessel per day if there are 2 or extra people on the vessel
VirgniaJune 15-September 1540’’ however just one fish over 50” aboard vessel1 per individual, 2 per vessel, whichever is extra restrictive
