Black sea bass fishers get a year without federal rules
What happened
Federal rules for recreational black sea bass fishing are gone for 2025. This means states or regional groups will set the limits, as long as they still protect the fish.
Why it matters
For one year, federal regulators are stepping back from managing black sea bass. This allows states to set their own rules, which might better fit local fishing patterns. It also shows the federal government trusts other groups to prevent overfishing.
The signal
Watch if this waiver becomes a regular annual event, or if it expands to other fish species.