Fishery managers studying black sea bass population

A multistate management commission is working on an assessment of the health of the black sea bass population.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is evaluating the status of the fish north of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, to help inform the way it manages the species. The black bass commercial fishery was worth more than $8.5 million in 2013.

The commission is accepting data about the fishery until June 19. A meeting on the subject will take place in late June and early July in Warwick, Rhode Island, and peer review will take place in thereafter.

Scientists have said the bass are increasing in northern New England waters because of accelerated water temperature increases in recent years.