Angling Trust & BASS Joint Statement on the 2026 UK–EU Fisheries Negotiations
After years of hard-fought advocacy, the Angling Trust and the Bass Anglers’ Sportfishing Society (BASS) are pleased to confirm a long-awaited win for recreational sea anglers. As part of the 2026 UK–EU Fisheries Bilateral Negotiations, the recreational bass bag limit has been increased to three fish per angler per day. The closed season (February and March) and the 42cm minimum conservation reference size remain in place.
This uplift is the direct result of sustained pressure from the Angling Trust and BASS, supported by the European Anglers Alliance. It offers a vital boost for many recreational charter businesses and gives anglers the opportunity to take a little more home for the pot at a time when food security matters more than ever. Of course, we recognise not every angler will land three fish every trip – but restoring the principle of fair access is a significant and symbolic step forward. Legislative changes are required for this change to come into effect, so please keep an eye on our website and Gov.UK for this announcement in 2026.
We also acknowledge that the UK Government fought hard on behalf of the recreational sector this year, resisting considerable pressure from the EU. In the final stages of negotiation, the UK successfully pushed back against proposals to allow new gear types, including the reintroduction of pelagic trawls, attempts to maximise commercial catches, and the removal of important safeguards like the closed season. We have remained clear throughout: these measures have no place in a responsible, sustainable bass fishery.
A Stock Showing Signs of Recovery – and New Risks Emerging
Following more than a decade of sacrifice by sea anglers, charter skippers, and responsible commercial fishers, bass stocks are showing encouraging signs of recovery. Many anglers and skippers have reported improved catches over the last two seasons – a trend supported by this year’s scientific advice.
ICES has recommended that no more than 5,180 tonnes of bass should be removed in 2026 under the MSY approach – a substantial increase on the 2,776-tonne limit for 2025. While this reflects genuine improvement in the stock, such a sharp rise was always likely to attract pressure for higher commercial catches rather than the necessary precaution.
Our Concerns: Bycatch Increases & a Return to Boom-and-Bust
The Angling Trust and BASS remain deeply concerned that, despite the stock’s fragile recovery, both the UK and EU have agreed to major increases in commercial bycatch limits for trawlers and fixed-net fisheries. In our view, this undermines the goals of the Fisheries Act (2020) and the Joint Fisheries Statement, both of which commit to reducing bycatch and encouraging more selective, sustainable fishing practices.
Increasing bycatch limits does the opposite:
- it incentivises bycatch rather than discouraging it,
- risks turning a bycatch allowance into a de-facto targeted fishery,
- disadvantages sustainable hook-and-line commercial fishers, and
- erodes the hard-won gains made by recreational anglers.
While we welcome the decision to keep catches 853 tonnes below the full scientific headroom, we remain worried that this may still encourage behaviour that puts the recovering stock at risk – particularly when enforcement remains chronically underfunded and ineffective. Flooding the market with bass also risks driving down prices, harming those commercial fishers who rely on selective, low-impact methods.
Next Steps
As active members of the Bass Management Group (England) and the Welsh Sea Bass Advisory Group, we will be writing an open letter outlining how this year’s negotiation outcome challenges the implementation of the Bass Fisheries Management Plan. We are genuinely concerned that these decisions signal a return to boom-and-bust management, expanding catches at the very first sign of recovery rather than consolidating long-term sustainability. Concerns also continue on the reliability of MSY, and in 2026, we will press harder to explore alternative harvest strategies, alongside our other priorities.
We also continue to push the UK and EU to progress with developing the Seabass Catch Allocation Tool via ICES.
Recreational anglers have played a major role in helping this stock rebuild. You have accepted restrictions, reduced catches, and championed best practice. We remain committed to ensuring your contribution is recognised, respected, and defended.