FISHING REGULATION

Country: GB
Jurisdiction: United Kingdom
Authority: Marine Management Organisation (MMO) / Defra / Marine Scotland

Species: european-seabass
Common Names: Bass
Sea bass

Size Limits:
  Minimum: 42.0 cm (16.5 inches)
  Maximum:  cm ( inches)
  Slot Limit: False

Bag Limits:
  Daily: 3 fish
  Possession:  fish
  Annual:  fish

Season:
  Open Dates: 04-01
  Close Dates: 01-31
  Closed All Year: False

Notes: England/Wales: 3 bass/day, 42 cm min (MMO 2025 guidance). MANDATORY catch-and-release only Feb 1 – Mar 31 — retention illegal during this window. Additional ICES area restrictions may apply; verify with MMO before fishing. Scotland has separate rules.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bass-industry-guidance-2025
Last Verified: 2026-04-29