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 southern black sea bass stock is overfished with overfishing occurring. Trends do not indicate any improvement. Therefore, the status of the southern black sea bass stock is ranked a ‘critical’ 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.

Although management agencies for the southern stock of black sea bass have taken progressive actions to attempt to decrease BSB mortality, such as the banning of otter trawls in 1989, the southern BSB stock continues to suffer and decline. Additionally, efforts to research the southern stock are limited. There is a great concern for the conservation of southern black sea bass and the management of the southern stock is at present thus considered ‘ineffective’.

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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