Scup Regulations in New Jersey (2026)

Where

Statewide

Size limit

Minimum size of possession: 9” Total Length

Bag limit

Winter I: The federal and state possession limit in winter I is 50,000 pounds per trip. When 80% of quota is reached, the possession limit will drop to 1,000 pounds per trip. Winter II: The initial winter II possession limit is 12,000 pounds.

Season

Winter I (January-April); Summer: Friday, May 1 through Wednesday, September 30; Winter II: Thursday, October 1 through Thursday, December 31

• Minimum mesh: Otter trawls must have a minimum mesh size of 5” for the first 75 meshes from the terminus of the net and a minimum mesh size of 5” throughout the net for codends constructed with fewer than 75 meshes.
• Threshold to trigger minimum mesh requirements: Trawl vessels are subject to the minimum mesh requirements if possessing 1,000 pounds or more of scup from October 1 through April 14, 2,000 pounds or more of scup from April 15 through June 15, and 200 pounds or more of scup from June 16 through September 30.
• Pot and trap escape vents: 3.1” round, 2.25” square
• 2026 New Jersey commercial summer period quota: 201,090 lbs (share 2.917%); summer-period trip limits are set by New Jersey (NJDEP notices not accessible to us).
• Seasons are the coastwide commercial quota periods; each period closes when its quota is landed.
• Values from the ASMFC Scup FMP Review (minimum size and gear) (2025 measures as reported in New Jersey's compliance report); NJDEP commercial rules (N.J.A.C. 7:25A) are not accessible to us, so confirm current-year trip limits with NJDEP.
• ASMFC Scup FMP Review: Minimum size of possession: 9” Total Length (https://asmfc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/ScupFMP_ReviewFY2025.pdf)

Official source