CNB Hunting/Fishing New Jersey: The Striped Bass Bonus Program
Tuesday, December 31, 2019
The 2019 Striped Bass Bonus Program (SBBP) closed at 12:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 1, 2020.
Permits issued for 2019 are not valid in 2020.
Applications for the 2020 SBBP are not currently being accepted. A new application must be submitted for 2020 when available. The NJ Marine Fisheries Council will make decisions early in 2020 regarding the future of the 2020 SBBP. The Division will provide information regarding 2020 applications for individual anglers and party/charter boat owners once a decision is announced.
Updated and new information about the SBBP is posted on this webpage and sent to Marine Fisheries e-mail list subscribers and media outlets when available.
Reporting of all harvested bonus fish is mandatory.
Submit logbooks to ensure eligibility for 2020.
Effective September 1, 2019, the SBBP regulations were as follows:
- One fish per permit 24" to less than 28"
- September 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Please note that the order of fish harvested did not matter.
Bonus harvest reporting is mandatory and fish must be reported within 24 hours of harvest via online or by calling 609-748-2074.
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
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 2019, any overage would be subtracted from the 2020 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. |