2026 Bass Regulations: Commercial and Recreational
Last updated: 27/07/2026
The 2026 Statutory Bass Fishing Guidance has been published. A summary of how bass measures apply in the Eastern IFCA district is set out below. To read the full information on the rules, regulations and restrictions for bass fishing in 2026 published by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), please go to:
Bass Fishing Guidance – GOV.UK
During January and from 1 April until 31 December 2026 the catch, retention, transhipment and landing of bass is only permitted if you have an authorisation from the MMO to do so. Fishing for bass is prohibited during February and March 2026.
Commercial Bass Fishing
A UK fishing vessel may carry only one authorised fishing gear on a fishing trip when retaining bass on board.
Demersal Trawls and Seine
All commercial fishing vessels are authorised to land bass caught by demersal trawls and seines, and no written authorisation is required.
Hooks and lines
Bass may be targeted with hooks and lines only by vessels holding a valid MMO bass authorisation.
Fixed gillnets
Bass may only be retained as bycatch when fishing with fixed gillnets and the vessel holds a valid bass authorisation. Fixed gillnets must be anchored or otherwise secured to the seabed so they cannot drift with the current. Nets carried on board must be immediately capable of being fixed to the seabed when deployed. A minimum mesh size of 100 mm applies when retaining bass as bycatch in fixed gillnets. Bass cannot be targeted using this gear type.
Other gear types
Bass cannot be caught and retained using any other gears, including pelagic trawls, ring nets, or nets that drift with the current or are capable of drifting. No bass can be taken by shore-based fixed gillnets.
If you want to catch and retain bass by other gears you must have a written authorisation from the MMO to do so. Authorisations are issued to vessels with a track record of landing bass during the reference period of 1 July 2015 to 30 September 2016 subject to any successful transfer requests.
Once you have been issued an authorisation you will be authorised to catch and retain bass with the gear types listed on your authorisation, subject to the specific limitations for each gear.
Authorised vessels can only retain and land bass subject to the limits below. Landing limits are not transferable between vessels.
Recreational Bass Fishing
These rules apply if you are fishing from a boat or from the shore.
Recreational fishing, including from shore, is limited to catch-and-release only during 1 February to 31 March 2026.
From 1 January to 31 January 2026 and 1 April to 31 December 2026, no more than THREE seabass may be retained per person per day.
The minimum size of European seabass is 42 cm.
No bass can be taken by fixed or drift nets.
The above infographics are available to download in a print-friendly format through the following links:
The infographics can also be obtained as posters or flyers from the Eastern IFCA office on request – see the contact us section to get in touch.
Please see the minimum sizes section of the website for information on other species in our district.