NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - People will have to catch fewer striped bass in waters along the East Coast next year.
The Virginian-Pilot reports that fishing regulators have mandated an 18% reduction for recreational fishing. The new harvest cap will likely impact commercial fishing.
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Striped Bass Management Board adopted the changes on Thursday. It follows a stock assessment that shows striped bass are being overfished.
States from North Carolina to Maine will submit plans for achieving the reduction goals. States such as Virginia have already taken steps on their own to better protect the species.
Striped bass are also known as rockfish.
