Have you ever thought that despite so many countries surrounding the black sea, it still has so many fish swimming in the Sea? You cannot just go there with your fishing rod and bait to have a peaceful afternoon and examine your luck to see if you can catch a fish.
There are strict rules and regulations for fishing activities if you hope to go to the black sea. These rules are implemented so that no one can misuse the marine resources and maintain the ecosystem.
The Famous Black Sea Bass
Despite the many rules and regulations for fishing in the Black Sea, it has one of the famous fish in the world. The Black Sea Bass is the most popular fish present in the Black Sea, and it is sold in good quantities. There are many people who find this particular fish very pleasant to eat, and some have even declared this the tastiest fish in the ocean.
They find the flavor fresh and light, which makes it convenient for many recipes worldwide. But as they are infamous and the most sold, there are several rules for recreational fishing. Recreational fishing means fishing for leisure and not for any commercial purpose.
The black sea bass fishery is managed by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. And the NOAA Fisheries is the one that creates and implements rules and regulations within the fishery. The fishery is regulated with a proper criterion for vessel sizes, seasons for fishing, and the daily limit for recreational fisheries.
Now let’s go through some of the important rules for recreational Fishing.
- Possession limits – as per the rules in 2024, the limits of the possession of fish are clearly declared. If you want to go out fishing for the Black Sea Bass, make sure to check with your local state or regional agency for measures and requirements.
- eVTRs – Only those who have permitted operators with a federal party have the permit to fish the black sea bass and other species. Each individual needs to submit a required VTR, which can be submitted through electronic means. And the eVTR needs to be submitted within 48 hours after entering a particular port.
- Observer – although the black sea bass fishery does not have any IVR, VMS, or any specific observer, if you want to go out to sea, your permitted vessels should have an observer.
Fishing laws in the Black Sea
1. The fishery is closed for two months for turbot spawning (reproduction)
The fishery remains closed for the duration of 2 months, mostly in the months of April to June, and all activities related to fishing are closed during this period. This is usually done to protect the population of turbots as it is their season for reproduction. It reduces the fishing pressure when the fish are vulnerable and thus aims for long-term sustainability.
2. There is a Limit on Turbot Fishing Days
There are regulations made by the EU in which there is limit the number of days someone can fish for turbot. The annual days permitted to a union fishing vessel, despite its length, is 180 days within the territory of the black sea.
3. Requirement for mesh size
One can only fish for the black bass sea if they have a mesh that is at least 4.5 inches (diamond mesh). This mostly requires that the cod end of otter trawlers that the mesh should have a 4.5-inch diamond mesh with 75 continuous mesh at the net’s end. If the mesh doesn’t have 75 mesh, then at least it should be 4.5 inches to meet the fishing standards.
4. There is a ban on close-to-shore trawling in the black Sea
The ban is implied to protect the fauna of the black sea that gets impacted by bottom trawling. In the Black Sea, most of the area prohibits trawling within 3 nautical miles and also below a depth of 1000m.
5. Restrictions on Gears for Fishing in the Black Sea
There are different restrictions on gear and its type if someone wants to fish in the black sea.
- Trawl gear restrictions – all the mesh sizes should be measured before the initiation of fishing. All who are going fishing in the black sea should fish with nets that have a minimum size of 4.5 inches or have cod ends of 75 continuous mesh in the front of the net.
- Modification of the Net – No vessels should use any other additional device, material, or gear while fishing in the black sea. But nets, ropes, lines, or chafing gear are allowed.
- Mesh obstruction or constriction – one should not use any mesh construction or configuration, or any other thing placed on top of the net. Anything that creates an obstruction in any manner is detained.
- Roller gear – Any roller gear used in a rig or rock hopper should not be larger than 18 inches and 45.7 cm in diameter.
7. Electronic Monitoring & Logging
Those who have a permitted operator will need to register themselves in the VTR and will need an eVTR to do all the fishing activities in the Black Sea. Also, they need to register themselves in the VMS.
Final Thoughts
If you are seeking to go for a fishing adventure with your family, make sure to conduct thorough research before going. The black has an enormous fishing potential, and with that, it has different rules and regulations. It has one of the best fishery departments and is the largest producer of the Black see Bass. If you are planning to go in the month of June, you need to postpone your plan as the fishery will be closed due to the reproduction time of the fish.
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