New Jersey Awaits Sea Bass Quota Allocation

State must wait until March 5 for final quota decision after other states submit regulations.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Ice sailors have returned to the frozen Navesink River in Red Bank, New Jersey as the weather has turned cold enough. However, New Jersey's final quota for sea bass fishing will not be decided until March 5, after other states present their regulations on that date.

Why it matters

Sea bass is an important commercial and recreational fishery for New Jersey, so the state's final quota allocation will significantly impact the industry and recreational anglers. The quota decision process involves coordination between multiple states to ensure fair and sustainable management of the fishery.

The details

New Jersey's sea bass quota for the upcoming season will be determined after other states submit their regulations on March 5. This coordinated process ensures an equitable distribution of the overall sea bass catch limit among the participating states.

  • Ice boat enthusiasts have returned to the frozen Navesink River in Red Bank, New Jersey as the weather turned cold enough.
  • New Jersey's final sea bass quota for the upcoming season will be decided on March 5, after other states present their regulations.

The players

New Jersey

A state on the U.S. East Coast that has an important commercial and recreational sea bass fishery.

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What’s next

On March 5, New Jersey will learn its final sea bass quota allocation for the upcoming season after other states submit their regulations.

The takeaway

The coordinated process of determining state-level sea bass quotas ensures the overall fishery is managed sustainably, though it means New Jersey must wait until early March to know its final allocation for the year.