Moncton, NB – April 7, 2015 – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) today approved the Multiyear Plan for Striped Bass Recreational Fishing in the waters adjacent to the Maritime Provinces in the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence for 2015 and 2016.

Compared to 2014, seven days in the retention fishery and 31 days in the catch and release fishery have been added for both 2015 and 2016.

• In 2015 and 2016, the striped bass recreational fishery will take place from May 1 to October 31;
• In 2015, the retention fishing periods will take place from May 11 to 31, from August 1 to 23, from September 4 to 7 and from October 24 to 31;
• In 2016, the retention fishing periods will take place from May 9 to 29, from July 30 to August 21, from September 2 to 5 and from October 22 to 30.

During the retention fishing periods, anglers will be able to retain a maximum of one striped bass per day and will be prohibited from possessing more than one striped bass at any given time. Outside of these retention fishing periods, all striped bass caught must be released immediately in a manner that causes the least harm to the fish.

Same as in 2014, the following management measures will also apply during the 2015 and 2016 striped bass recreational fisheries:

• The size window for the retention fishery is established at a minimal length of 50 cm and at a maximum length of 65 cm. The length is measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail (total length);
• Angling activities will begin two hours before sunrise and end two hours after sunset of each day;
• The use of a non-offset barbless circle hook is mandatory when bait is used while fishing for striped bass in tidal waters.

For a copy of the Multiyear Plan for Recreational Fishing of Striped Bass in the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence 2015-2016, please refer to the Recreational Fisheries Website.

DFO will continue to compile data collected during the striped bass recreational fishery and asks for the angler’s participation in this data collection. Catch report forms are available on the Recreational Fisheries website. All catch report forms regarding the striped bass recreational fishery should be completed and returned to Fisheries and Oceans by November 30.

Anyone wishing to report suspicious fishing activity anonymously is asked to contact the nearest Fisheries and Oceans Canada office or to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.