Update on bass catches for 2020. The EU agreed today on an increase in the daily catch limits limits from one to two bass per angler for next year in the northern areas. This will apply from 1st March until 30th November with catch and release only outwith this period.
The minimum conservation reference size of 42cm still applies.
The limit in southern areas will be reduced from three fish to two.
Will update again when the full regulation is published. UK anglers may be affected by any changes to fishing policy if Brexit negotiations are completed before the end of 2020.
If the limits on recreational bass fishing, including from shore, are unchanged they will affect affect ICES divisions 4b, 4c, 6a, 7a to 7k as far as the UK, Ireland and other North Sea countries are concerned, see the map below.
Subarea VII consists of the Irish Sea, West of Ireland, Porcupine Bank, Eastern and Western English Channel, Bristol Channel, Celtic Sea North and South, and Southwest of Ireland – East and West. Subarea IV consists of the southern North Sea and area VIa is the west and north west coast of Scotland leaving only the north east of Scotland free from restrictions for UK anglers.
Outwith of these areas the limits will be covered by the South restrictions.
