The Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries) issued a notice on June 7th that the commercial black sea bass fishery would close effective 0001 hours on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 through July 31, 2006.

Regulations allow scup retention (200 lbs.) for fishermen using sea bass pots or hookand- line during the open sea bass fishing days and season. However, retention is not allowed when the sea bass fishery is closed through July 31st. On August 1st the directed scup fishery will open for hook and line and pot fishermen at a 400-lb. possession limit. The summer/fall black sea bass season will also re-open on August 1st at a 500 lb. trip limit for pots, 200 lbs. for hook-and-liners, and 100 lbs. for coastal lobster fishermen using lobster pots. No-fishing days in both fisheries will be Friday and Saturday.