CNB Hunting/Fishing New Jersey: The Striped Bass Bonus Program
Friday, July 31, 2015
Bob Gieson (left) with his 55-pound striped bass and Erik Olsen on the party boat Queen Mary in Point Pleasant
Striped bass regulations have changed.
The Striped Bass Bonus Program (SBBP) closed on May 1, 2015 and will reopen September 1, 2015.Detailed information about new SBBP procedures, including permits and reporting will be provided through various outlets including this webpage as soon as they become available. All current permit holders received notice that the old 2015 permits are no longer valid and will automatically receive a new permit prior to September 1, 2015. Those permits will be issued first before processing new applications. The number of permits issues will be limited, based on the Division's discretion, to ensure the 2015 quota is not exceeded.On September 1, 2015, the new SBBP regulations will be:
- One fish 24" to less than 28"
Please note that the order of fish harvested does not matter.New Jersey recreational striped bass regulations in all state waters are as follows:
- One fish 28" to less than 43" AND one fish 43" or greater
Party/Charter Boat Facet of the SBBP Reinstated For 2015 The Party/Charter Boat (PCBT) facet of the SBBP will resume on September 1, 2015. Data collected from this program has proved invaluable for managing striped bass. Qualified PCBTs will be issued a limited number of permits allowing customers to keep one Bonus Fish from 24" to less than 28". Only one permit may be issued to a customer per day.PCBTs will be required to submit daily logbooks of their striped bass catch and will also be required to provide weekly reports of striped bass bonus harvest in order to ensure the quota is not exceeded. To apply, download the application and submit to the Division with a copy of a Captain's license. Party/Charter Boat Bonus Program Application(pdf, 70kb)REGULATIONS/CHANGES TO PROGRAMNote: New Jersey recreational striped bass regulations have been modified in all state waters to the following:
- One fish 28" to less than 43" AND one fish 43" or greater
With a bonus permit, anglers can keep one fish 24 inches to less than 28 inches from September 1 to December 31. Please note the order of fish harvested does not matter (Bonus fish can be the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd fish). Visit the Marine section of the Regulations page to check current Federal and State possession and season regulations for striped bass fishing in your area.Participants in the Bonus Program can receive immediate notification of regulation updates, emergency closures, special notices, etc., by subscribing to the free NJ Marine Fishing E-mail List. For details, visit the E-mail List Subscription page.APPLICATION PROCESSPermits are currently not being issued. Applications for the SBBP may be submitted now: SBBP Application and Child Support Certification Form(pdf, 70kb)Return completed form with a self-addressed stamped #10 envelope to the Division. All applicants must complete the Child Support Certification each year. See www.njfishandwildlife.com/child_support_info.htm for details.HARVEST REPORTINGDetailed information on procedures for reporting will be provided as soon as it becomes available.- <b>Online Reporting</b> ---- All information on the permit must be completed immediately after harvest and prior to transportation. Report harvest information at <a href="http://www.nj.wildlifelicense.com/" class="listgreenul" target="_blank">www.nj.wildlifelicense.com/</a>. Harvest information must be reported online. A $2.00 processing fee will be charged for each additional permit. ----------------STRIPED BASS FISHING LOGThe online fishing log is currently not available. Detailed information on procedures for completing and submitting fishing logs will be provided as soon as it becomes available.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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PROGRAM BACKGROUND New Jersey is allocated a commercial harvest quota of striped bass under the Striped Bass Interstate Fisheries Management Plan as administered by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). Since New Jersey does not allow netting or sale of striped bass, this quota was transferred to the recreational fishing sector resulting in the origin of the SBBP. The current allocation from ASMFC is 215,912 pounds to be distributed between individual anglers and party/charter boats. Should NJ overshoot this quota in 2015, any overage would be subtracted from the 2016 quota. Although this program does allow for the harvest of an additional striped bass for New Jersey anglers, the Division encourages catch and release whenever possible so this species can prosper for future generations. The Division of Fish and Wildlife initiated the program in 1990 to allow the harvest of an additional striped bass for New Jersey recreational anglers. Although the program has been modified throughout the years, the main goal of the SBBP is to allow anglers to participate in the management process while enjoying their favorite recreational pastime. It is a popular program and provides valuable data for assessing stock status and fishing trends, making it an integral part of New Jersey's striped bass management. |
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Striped Bass Tagging Program/Reporting (Am. Littoral Society) |
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Striped Bass Temperature Study Tagging Project Information (pdf, 12kb) |
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