Tackle industry hopeful talks between EU and UK will lead to increase in sea bass bag limits

Following Brexit, which came into effect in January this year, the European Union and United Kingdom will shortly start what will now become an annual event – talks with the aim of agreeing Total Allowable Catches (TACs) in European waters.

Recreational fishing tackle manufacturers alongside anglers and retailers on both sides of the divide will be waiting with baited breath to see the Trade and Cooperation Agreement that each party will have to agree by December 10th this year.

Now that the necessary scientific advice for 2022 has been published by the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES), the EU and UK will be able to start talks on a wide range of species including the iconic sea bass.

The ICES catch recommendation for sea bass that can be removed and kept by both commercial and recreational fishermen should be no more than 2,216 tonnes. For anglers that should not be in excess of 583 tonnes. This should result in a higher bag limit of three specimens a day – an increase of one on this year over a longer open season, which will now take place between March to December.

The European Anglers Alliance (EAA) says it is closely following the negotiations to ensure that the interests of the recreational fishing sector are heard in Brussels.

Photograph: courtesy EAA