MMO Announces New Bass Fishing Opportunities
MMO will shortly be opening an application process inviting English licensed (excluding crown dependencies) 8m and under commercial fishing vessels, administered by MMO, to apply for a limited number of authorisations to land bass by hooks and lines gear in English Waters.
These opportunities follow the outcomes of the 2025 bass authorisation review, delivered under the Bass Fisheries Management Plan (FMP). The review identified that the total number of vessels authorised to land bass had declined over time and considered alternative approaches to managing access and to improve fishing opportunities:
- Maintain access to those currently authorised to land bass in English waters under existing rules. Bass Fishing Guidance
- Reinstate a proportion of the total number of unused authorisations that were identified during the authorisation review.
Therefore, MMO will invite English licensed (excluding crown dependencies) commercial fishing vessels, administered by MMO, to apply for an authorisation to land bass by hooks and lines gear in English waters.
The process will only apply to 8 metre and under monohull vessels without a current bass authorisation and will be used to assess applicants against defined eligibility criteria.
65 of the identified unused authorisations will be made available and issued to successful applicants following a blind selection process. Applying will not guarantee access to the bass fishery but will be required to be considered.
Once the application window has closed, MMO will review all applications, identify which vessels are affected, and determine the timing of decisions on bass fishing opportunities in English waters. All applicants will then be notified of the outcome of the selection process.
What to expect
1. The application window will then open on Monday 9 November 2026 and be live over a 6-week period closing at midnight on Monday 21 December 2026.
2. When the application process opens full guidance will be published here MMO Fisheries Management Plan Updates – GOV.UK, including.:
- – Application document including details on eligibility, conditions, and application routes
- – Questions and answers document
- – One page document
- – Video
3. MMO will undertake engagement around the coast to answer questions and help with the application process. Details of the engagement events will be published here FMP events.
4. Following the conclusion of the application window, MMO will notify all applicants of the outcome of the selection process.