Bass: Black Sea

Atlantic sea bass, Black will, Chub, Sea Bass, Black fish, Tallywag, hannahil, Black-Harry, black perch, black bass, blue fish, pin bass, rock bass

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Black sea bass (BSB) inhabit nearshore waters along the U.S. Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Mexico. Within this geographical range, the species is identified by one of three stocks: northern or Mid-Atlantic (north of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina to Nova Scotia); southern or South-Atlantic (south of Cape Hatteras to southern Florida); and the Gulf of Mexico (Steimle et al. 1999).

The mid-Atlantic stock is considered distinct from the south Atlantic stock and there is probably little overlap in habitat use by these two populations (ASMFC and MAFMC 1996).

The Gulf of Mexico stock is considered a distinct subspecies within the southern range. These distinct genetic stocks result from a fairly long period of population separation by many tens or hundreds of thousands of years.

Like most members of the family Serranidae, black sea bass are protogynous hermaphrodites. They mature as females but change sex to males as their size increases. Black sea bass are relatively short-lived and attain their maximum size slowly. Black sea bass are short-lived, highly fecund, and relatively fast-growing, maturing in less than 5 years. While their narrow range and seasonal migrations make them somewhat more susceptible to fishing pressures during certain times of the year, overall, their life history characteristics make black sea bass inherently resilient to fishing pressure.

The northern stock of black sea bass is no longer overfished. Labeled overfished in the 1990s,an FMP was developed in 1996 with an 8-year recovery plan for the stock. The 1998 SARC meeting was unable to assess the stock due to insufficient data as a result of inadequate sampling. The 2004 SARC meeting indicated the stock was no longer overfished, although there is some degree of uncertainty in the estimates. Long-term landings data show that catch and biomass have been low since the 1950s. However, in the short-term, the trend is increasing. No information was found regarding the current age, size, or sex distribution of the northern BSB stock relative to natural conditions. Due to its current improving status, the status of the northern black sea bass stock is ranked a ‘moderate’ conservation concern.

The black sea bass fishery is complex because it is a mixed fishery. Most of the bycatch is due to discards in trawl fisheries that target multiple species. With improved trap technology, a great potential exists to alleviate any fear that pot/trap discards impact Black Sea Bass populations and reproductive potential. Overall, there are little data indicating harm to protected species or population consequences to black sea bass due to bycatch. Therefore, the nature and extent of bycatch for the pot/trap fishery is ranked a ‘low’ conservation concern.

Although this gear is less mobile than trawls, little data exist from which to determine if pots/traps substantially damage environments in the long-term. Because of the lack of data, habitat impacts of this method rank a ‘moderate’ conservation concern.

A stock assessment for the northern BSB stock is complete, but the strength of the data is uncertain. There is currently a process in place that involves the collection and analysis of data with respect to the short and long-term stock abundance of the northern black sea bass stock. Management has followed scientific recommendations, which were somewhat lacking due to insufficient data. The new 2004 SAW report will influence management action for next year’s northern black sea bass fishery. In the northern fishery, some management efforts address mitigating the impacts of gear on habitats, but the effectiveness of these efforts has yet to be demonstrated. Overall, the effectiveness of management in the northern fishery is uncertain. Until stocks are considered fully rebuilt management for the northern stock is considered ‘moderately effective’.

Where is this Black Sea Bass from, and how was it caught?

Trap caught Black Sea Bass from the region North of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina is ranked as “some concerns”.

Trawl caught Black Sea Bass from the region North of Cape Hatteras also ranks as “some concerns”, but there is higher bycatch, and more severe habitat effects in the trawl fishery.

All Black Sea Bass from the region South of Cape Hatteras should be avoided, regardless of gear type as the stock status is ranked as critical.

Moderate mercury advisory + Adults can safely eat more than 4 meals per month + Kids age 6-12 should eat no more than 4+ meals per month + Kids up to age 6 should eat no more than 4 meals per month

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