Black Sea Bass

Centropristis striata

AKA:
Pinbass, Rock Bass

Managed by: SAFMC

Physical description:

The larger individuals of black sea bass are black, while the smaller induviduals are more of a dusky brown. The exposed parts of scales are paler than the margins, giving the fish the appearance of being barred with a series of longitudinal dots. The belly is only slightly lighter in color than the sides. The fins are dark, and the dorsal is marked with a series of white spots and bands. The upper portion of the caudal fin ends as a filament. During spawning, males may have a conspicuous blue nuchal hump.

Biological description:

The black sea bass is a temperate marine species that inhabits irregular hard-bottom areas, such as wrecks or reefs. They are found from Cape Cod to Cape Canaveral, and those found in the South Atlantic Bight usually occur more inshore with other tropical reef fish such as snappers, groupers, porgies and grunts. Black sea bass are protogynous hermaphrodites, that is, they change sex with size. Large individuals are males, and smaller individuals are female. The number of eggs produced in a spawning season ranges from 30 thousand to 500 thousand depending on the size of the fish. The spawning season is June through October in the Mid-Atlantic Bight, and February through May in the South Atlantic Bight. Females reach sexual maturity when they are 7.5 inches long, and males when they are 9 inches long. Black sea bass may live up to 20 years, although fish older than 9 years are rare. The maximum size attained is 24 inches and 6 pounds. Black sea bass are opportunistic feeders eating whatever is available, preferring crabs, shrimp, worms, small fish and clams.

South Atlantic Federal Regulations

(For areas ranging from three to 200 miles off the coasts of NC, SC, GA, and East Florida)

Commercial:

Limited access permit required.

10" TL size limit.
Pots allowed only north of Cape Canaveral, FL.
Gear restrictions apply. New gear regulations effective October 23, 2006.

The following changes to the commercial regulations were effective October 23, 2006. Check Federal Register Notice for details

Fishing year change from calendar year to June 1 through May 31.
Annual commercial quota: 477,000 lbs gutted weight until 6/1/07
423,000 lbs gutted weight from 6/1/07 through 5/31/08
309,000 lbs gutted weight from 6/1/08 until modified
Black sea bass pots are to be removed from the water once quota is met.
Require the use of at least a 2 inch mesh for the entire back panel of black sea bass pots. (See the Federal Register Notice posted above for details.)

Recreational:

Reminder! Minimum Size Limit Increasing for the Recreational Black Sea Bass Fishery in the South Atlantic - Fishery Bulletin

11" TL size limit until 5/31/07. Beginning 6/1/07 increases to 12" TL size limit
Daily bag limit is 15 per person. See recreational retention limits.
Gear restrictions apply.

The following changes to the recreational regulations were effective October 23, 2006. Check Federal Register Notice for details.

Fishing year change from calendar year to June 1 through May 31.
11" TL size limit until 5/31/07, 12" TL thereafter.
Annual recreational allocation: 633,000 lbs gutted weight until 6/1/07
560,000 lbs gutted weight 6/1/07 through 5/31/08
409,000 lbs gutted weight 6/1/08 until modified
Daily bag limit: 15 per person.