Anglers face complete ban on bass fishing next year

Friday 07 October 2016

A complete ban on bass fishing in Jersey's waters is likely from January next year.

The Island's Environment Minister says both commercial and recreational fishermen will be in the same boat if we follow EU recommendations to put an end to bass fishing altogether.

This Summer the States agreed measures to protect and conserve bass stocks, stopping recreational fishermen catching more than one fish per day and only bigger fish over 42cm, and brought in changes to the use of ground lines and nets set on the beach, limiting the number of hooks to 50 and only allowing 100 metres of net.

Speaking yesterday in front of the Environment Scrutiny Panel, Deputy Steve Luce said: "It may be that next year the limits may be relaxed but it's extremely unlikely and I want to put things in order so that we can act quickly if we need to and I don't want people investing in new nets etc.

At the moment fishing rules governing the use of ground lines and nets are set out by regulations. Last month the Minister asked the States Assembly to change the process so that he can respond quicker to evidence about managing stocks.

Deputy Luce said: "The EU recommendations will be available to us and even though we are not obliged to follow, I would find it very difficult to resist. It would be very difficult to go the UK for discussions when you are not taking notice of EU recommendations.

“It will be for the long-term benefit of those who rely on catching them in the future.”