MA Anglers: Take the DMF’s Black Sea Bass Survey by Jan. 18
The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) is seeking public input on preferred approaches to liberalize the state’s recreational black sea bass measures for 2026.
What’s happening
- Per recent decisions of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, a coastwide harvest increase of 20% has been authorized.
- Black sea bass are a coastwide species managed jointly by the Atlantic coastal states and federal partners. While these entities set harvest targets, it is the goal of DMF to select management measures within that framework that will best serve our recreational fishing communities.
- DMF will be holding a virtual public scoping meeting on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 6:00 PM.
- DMF has created a short survey to collect input on what management measure (i.e., bag limit, size limit, season length) should be prioritized for changing.
Why your response matters
The DMF will move forward with a program either way. If anglers don’t respond, the outcome is shaped by limited feedback and assumptions instead of real-world preferences from the people actually fishing for sea bass.
Register for the Zoom-based meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/
Survey link:
forms.office.com/…/2026blackseabass
All states are expected to submit a range of proposed measures to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission for review and approval in mid-March. DMF anticipates announcing the 2026 recreational black sea bass measures by early April.
More Information
For more information, contact Nichola Meserve at nichola.meserve@mass.gov or 978-290-1672.
The On The Water staff is made up of experienced anglers from across the Northeast who fish local waters year-round. The team brings firsthand, on-the-water experience and regional knowledge to coverage of Northeast fisheries, techniques, seasonal patterns, regulations, and conservation.