MMO Fisheries Management Plan Updates
Source: gov.uk (2025-12-08)

Latest updates and documents on the progress of fisheries management plans (FMPs), focusing on goals and management led by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).

Bass FMP

Bass authorisation review

Introduction

The bass Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) sets out how we will keep bass fishing sustainable. A recent review looked at the system used to authorise commercial fishing vessels to land bass. The review made 24 recommendations to improve fishing opportunity, reduce bycatch, and protect stocks. These recommendations are not final decisions; next steps include assessment of impacts and future decision making on which recommendations to progress.

Background

The bass fishery is managed through a range of measures designed to protect stocks and ensure sustainability. These measures were introduced following concerns about declining stocks caused by years of poor recruitment and high fishing pressure. Current measures include:
- Minimum Conservation Reference Size
- Domestic authorisations for commercial bass fishing
- Seasonal closures for both commercial and recreational fishers
- Landing and bycatch limits across all sectors
In December 2023, the bass FMP was published. It sets out how we will manage bass sustainably for the long term. One key action of the FMP is to review the system for authorising commercial fishing vessels to land bass.

Stakeholder Involvement

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) led this review with help from a group of commercial and recreational fishermen, regulators and environmental groups. They met over multiple meetings and gathered views from nearly 300 stakeholders at 20 coastal events. This input has been central to shaping the review’s outcomes.

Key Outcomes

The review has produced 24 recommendations aimed at improving sustainable fishing opportunities, supporting adaptive management, and strengthening evidence-based decision-making for bass stocks.

Important note: These recommendations do not represent the official position of Defra or MMO at this stage. They are proposals developed through stakeholder engagement and will now enter a formal decision-making process. While not all recommendations may be adopted, this process ensures each is carefully considered.

The recommendations also align with broader FMP goals, such as reducing bycatch and discards, improving data collection, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the bass fishery. Key proposals include:
- Increasing the number of authorisations to land bass
- A scheme providing access for young people wishing to enter the fishery
- Allowing fishers the option to switch from fixed gillnet authorisation to hooks and lines
- Gear trials - including an Inshore drift netting scientific trial
- Establishing a working group to review demersal trawls and seines
- A trial bycatch allowance for non-authorised fixed gillnet fishers
- Development of an accredited hook to plate bass fishery
- Adjustments to engine power and vessel size restrictions
- Streamlining the administrative process
Next Steps

All outputs from the review remain subject to a formal decision-making process led by Defra and the Bass Management Group. This process may include further consultation, evidence gathering, and assessment of wider impacts before any decisions are made.
- Bass Authorisation Review Report (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6932d69d4bedc0e76230414d/Bass_authorisation_review_report.pdf) (PDF, 1.12 MB, 88 pages)
- An Overview - Bass Authorisation Review (Infographic) (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6936f4d07b258b4b52574389/Bass_authorisation_review_v2NL.pdf) (PDF, 1.38 MB, 1 page)
- Outlining the recommendations of the bass authorisation review - video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRTcjqyUO10&feature=youtu.be)