SALISBURY, Md. - A commission that protects fish in East Coast waterways is exploring ways to boost the declining rockfish population in the Chesapeake Bay.
Last week, the Department of Natural Resources' report from this year showed a steep decline in the number of juvenile rockfish in the Chesapeake Bay.
Wednesday, The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission met to strategize on how to improve those numbers.
Several options were discussed for both recreational anglers and commercial watermen within the Chesapeake Bay. For recreational fisherman, all possible options centered around lowering the maximum size of rockfish that can be kept. Currently, the maximum size is 31 inches. But, the commission is considering lowering that to a range between 23 and 26 inches.
For commercial watermen, there could be a reduction in quota and a change in the maximum size limits.
It's important to note no decisions were made.
DNR did discuss which options to remove or add for future public discussion.
The commission says a public comment period will begin in November.
No decisions will be made until at least January 2024.
To check out the options from Wednesdays webinar, click here. (Starting on Pg. 111)