PORTLAND (AP) — Maine fishery officials are proposing regulations to manage black sea bass, a species that is increasing in abundance in the state’s waters.
Maine Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher says the regulations will govern recreational and commercial fishing of the species. He calls black sea bass a new commercially-viable species for the state.
Commercial fishermen will face a quota of 10,580 pounds in 2014. Keliher says the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission will set Maine’s commercial sea bass quota every year by May 1.
The new regulations will also include daily catch limits of ten fish for recreational fishermen. The method of fishing for recreational and commercial is hook-and-line.
Scientists say black sea bass are increasing in Maine’s waters because of temperature increase over the past ten years.
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