The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has determined as of November 18, 2024, the total reported commercial landings of Atlantic cobia in 2024 from non-de minimis states (New York, PRFC, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina) meets the commercial trigger level. As a result, the Atlantic cobia commercial fishery in all state waters in the management unit (north of the Georgia-Florida state border) will be closed. Based upon this information and pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:25-18.12(o), the New Jersey Atlantic cobia commercial fishery will be closed as of 12:01 a.m., Wednesday, December 18, 2024.

Effective 12:01 a.m., Wednesday, December 18, 2024, no vessel shall land or possess, nor shall any dealer accept any Atlantic cobia through 11:59 p.m. December 31, 2024.

The 2025 season will open on Wednesday, January 1 with a possession limit of no more than two cobia per person and no more than six cobia per vessel in any one day.

If you have any questions, please contact the Bureau of Marine Fisheries at (609) 748-2020.