Bass Regulations
The following Statutory Instruments detail the restrictions for catching European Seabass for both Commercial and Recreational Fisheries:
Commercial Fishing
View the full Bass Fishing Guidance for 2023 on the MMO website here - Bass Fishing Guidance 2023
Commercial catching, retaining, transhipment and landing of bass is subject to restrictions. The commercial restrictions relating to bass are as follows:
It is prohibited to retain bass in February and March.
During January and during the period from 1st April - end of December in each calendar year, commercial vessels may fish for, retain, tranship, relocate or land Bass with the following gear and within the following limits:
- Demersal trawls and seines - maximum 5% by weight of all marine organisms PER TRIP. Unavoidable by-catch 3.8 tonnes (3800kg) per vessel per year.
- Hooks and lines - not exceeding 6.2 tonnes per year
- Fixed gillnets - By-catches not exceeding 1.6 tonnes per year
- All other gear types - bass catches prohibited
Commercial fisheries using hooks and lines or fixed gillnets require a specific authorisation by The MMO to catch and retain bass.
The legislation also prohibits any commercial bass fisheries from the shore.
