Two stocks have been recognized, one north and the other south of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Transformation from female to male generally occurs between ages 2 and 5. Black sea bass are omnivorous, feeding on crustaceans, molluscs, echinoderms, fish, and plants. The principal commercial fishing gears used to catch black sea bass are otter trawls and fish pots.
Recreational fishing is significant.
Management measures under the FMP include a moratorium on new permits, gear restrictions and minimum fish sizes, a coastwide commercial quota and a recreational harvest limit. Total nominal catch north of Cape Hatteras decreased from 4,300 mt in 1996 to 1,800 mt in 1998. Commercial landings fluctuated around 2,600 mt from 1887 until 1948 and then increased to 9,900 mt in 1952 before declining to only 600 mt in 1971. Between 1980 and 1993, commercial landings averaged 1,500 mt per year. Landings averaged 1,100 mt between 1994 and 1997 and totaled 1,200 mt in 1998.