In recent seasons, cobia have become a not-so-uncommon summer visitor in New Jersey and New York, with fish reported as far north as Massachusetts. It lines up with recent studies that suggest the cobia’s preferred habitat is shifting north. The anecdotal evidence of the cobia’s movement north is backed up by increasing catch rates noted by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, which have exceeded the allocation for the northern fishery, which is designated as waters from Virginia to Rhode Island. The ASMFC is seeking to reduce the cobia harvest by 15.9%. Read more at the press release below:
The NJDEP Fish & Wildlife’s Bureau of Marine Fisheries and the Marine Fisheries Council are seeking public comment on recreational fishing regulations to achieve a 15.9% harvest reduction for the 2025 fishing season for Atlantic Cobia, as required by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC).
A virtual public hearing will be held on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
Addendum II to Amendment 1 of the ASMFC Atlantic Cobia Fishery Management Plan (FMP) implements a new regional allocation framework, with northern (RI – VA) and southern (NC – GA) regions. Recent (2021 – 2023) recreational harvest in the northern region has averaged 62,832 fish, which exceeds the northern region allocation of 52,825 fish.
ASMFC is therefore requiring the northern region to implement regulations that reduce harvest by 15.9% to achieve the harvest target. All states in the northern region must implement the same size and possession limits. VA and MD must also adjust their fishing season, while RI to DE may maintain their current seasons.
A variety of management options that achieve the required harvest reduction have been developed and are available HERE.
Members of the public are invited to the meeting on December 18 to provide their comments on which option should be implemented in NJ. The meeting will be held by webinar only. Register Here.
2024 Cobia Regulations by State (Northern Region)
Rhode Island
All Year
No Minimum Size
No Possession Limit
Connecticut
All Year
No Minimum Size
No Possession Limit
New York
All Year
37″
1 per Angler (shore), 1 per Vessel (Boat)
New Jersey
All Year
37″
1 per Vessel (Boat)
Delaware
All Year
37″
1 per Vessel (Boat)
Maryland
June 15-September 15; 40″
1 cobia per person per day; or up to 2 cobia per vessel per day if there are 2 or more individuals on the vessel
Virgnia
June 15-September 15
40’’ but only 1 fish over 50” aboard vessel
1 per person, 2 per vessel, whichever is more restrictive