Article by Columns
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that effective September 5, 2017 cobia regulations will be set to allow for fish to be kept while fishing in Federal waters from Georgia through New York. These actions are based upon recommendations to NOAA Fisheries by the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils.
Since January 24, 2017, cobia fishing in Federal waters was closed because, in 2015 and 2016, recreational landings for Atlantic cobia exceeded the recreational catch limit and the total catch limit (commercial and recreational combined).
For the Atlantic cobia recreational sector, the minimum size limit will increase from 33-inches fork length to 36-inches fork length and the bag limit will be modified to 1 fish per person per day, or 6 fish per vessel per day, whichever is more restrictive.
The new rule will also modify the accountability measure so that if the recreational and total catch limits (commercial and recreational combined) are exceeded, NOAA Fisheries will reduce the vessel limit, and if necessary, shorten the following season.
For the Atlantic cobia commercial sector, the new rule will implement a commercial trip limit of 2 fish per person per day or 6 fish per vessel per day, whichever is more restrictive.
