Bass industry guidance 2021 – All fisheries
Information on the rules, regulations and restrictions for bass fishing in 2021 and 2022
The Sea Fisheries (Amendment etc.) Regulations 2021 retained and amended the Bass Measures 2020 as per Article 10 of Council Regulation (EU). Bass authorisations are applicable within the British Fishery Limits only. You should refer to the Bass Fishing Guidance 2021.
Bass rules coming into effect from 30th July 2021. Revised measures on vessels catching European Seabass are to be introduced on 30 July 2021, changing bycatch limits and introducing shore-based netting bycatch.
Recreational bass fishing
Recreational fisheries, including from shore, in ICES divisions 4b, 4c, 6a, 7a to 7k are limited to catch-and-release only during 01 January to 29 February and 1 December to 31 December.
From 1 March to 30 November, not more than two seabass may be retained per fisherman per day. In recreational fisheries in ICES divisions 8a and 8b, a maximum of two seabass may be retained per recreational fisherman per day throughout the year.
The minimum size of European seabass retained shall be 42 cm.
For further information please see The Sea Fisheries (Amendment etc.) Regulations 2021
These rules apply if you are fishing from a boat or from the shore.