Since our first post on the Bass Management Group (BMG), the second and third meetings have taken place.
In that time, we have been working on the fisheries management plan (FMP) actions we are pleased to share that the group now has its own GOV.UK page, improving transparency to help stakeholders stay up to date on progress. Find it here - Bass Management Group meeting minutes - GOV.UK
The minutes for the first and second meetings are there now, along with a presentation on the shore-based netting review. The third meeting minutes will be there soon, but in this post, we will give you an update on the discussions.
Third meeting of the BMG
The meeting took place in May 2025 with discussions covering progress on actions in the FMP and priorities for filling evidence gaps and FMP objectives.
Progress updates
Defra updated the group on the shore-based netting review, a key part of goal seven in the FMP. This review is looking at whether additional regional or national protections are needed to prevent migratory fish bycatch and is due to be published this year.
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) are leading the first task-and-finish group in a review of the bass authorisation system in place for commercial vessels within England as part of work addressing goal two of the bass FMP. The group have met over the course of seven months as well as the MMO conducting roadshow consultations around the coast and online with both commercial and recreational sectors. Findings from the review will be shared in September’s meeting.
The Angling Trust will lead on the development of bass handling and best practice guidance amongst recreational anglers. They aim to provide member pack updates, tackle box stickers that signpost to regulations, and short form informational video guidance.
Evidence discussions
Cefas (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science) led discussions on the evidence gaps within the bass FMP with members identifying priorities, based on shared resourcing and funding.
Bass Angling Conservation (BAC) also presented its “Bass Rebuilding Plan”, which set out its view on the best future management of the stock. BAC suggested that the advice provided by the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) encourages the shrinking of the bass stock, and that this should be considered.
Setting priorities
Defra also invited members to give further views on which delivery objectives are the most important to help us decide the order of work over the coming months and years, discussing previously prioritised work areas:
- discards
- improving recreational data collection
- bycatch
- closed seasons
- gear types
Members also highlighted the need to look ahead to future goals in the FMP with a review of the current Minimum Conservation Reference Sizes (MCRS) as a first step.
Planning ahead
The group will discuss the authorisation and shore-based netting reviews and establishing further task-and-finish groups to help deliver other short-term FMP goals.
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Please use the comment section below for any feedback or questions about this meeting of the Bass Management Group - following the blog guidelines.
If you have specific queries and comments about details of the bass FMP, please contact the policy team directly at BassFMP@defra.gov.uk
8 comments
Comment by Greg posted on
Why is 'improving recreational data collection' a priority when the data collected for commercially caught fish is so poor and has a much greater impact on the allocation of quota?
Comment by Laura posted on
The provision of data from both the recreational and commercial sector is important for understanding the current stock status and behaviours, and for informing future management within English waters.
The Bass Management Group aims to improve recreational and commercial catch data and will be considering how best to achieve this through existing channels, i.e. use of the under 10m Catch App (commercial) and the Sea Angling Diary (recreational), as this will allow for a more accurate picture of the current bass stock status than we currently hold.
Comment by Antony Ashbrook posted on
What about bringing back drift netting? Some kind of survey should be done because you have only done this to prevent migratory fish being caught but 500 seals near me are allowed to eat as many as they can get anyway
Comment by Laura posted on
Management measures implemented in 2015 to protect declining stocks of bass prohibited the use of drift nets to minimise the bycatch of sensitive and migratory species.
An action from the bass FMP published in December 2023 was to review the bass authorisation system for commercial vessels in England. The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is conducting the review, and it includes proposals made by commercial fishers for a review of bass drift netting.
Once the review is complete and published, decisions will be made on the proposals.
Comment by Greg posted on
Bass populations are still only at or below belim so how can drift netting be considered for reintroduction? As you say, it was banned to protect the bass population and that still needs to be done.
Comment by Laura posted on
Recent ICES advice for Bass fishing opportunities for 2026 states that fishing pressure on the stock is below FMSY, and spawning-stock size is above MSY Btrigger, BPA, and Blim. This advice can be found here.
As previously published on this blog, a proposal from commercial fishers for a bass drift netting scientific trial has been made via the MMO led Authorisation System Review. Once the review is complete and published, decisions will be made on the proposals.
Comment by Phil posted on
Are there any plans to allow those with a rod & line authorisation to have flexibility to fixed net and vice-versa? Catch limits across species seem to be getting tighter and opportunities for diversifying more restrictive. Does it matter if a retained fish is net or rod and line caught (subject to minimum net sizes to target 42cm+)?
Comment by Laura posted on
Under the Bass Management Group, the MMO currently chairs a task-and-finish group that is reviewing the bass authorisation system for commercially licensed vessels, which encompasses all elements of the system. Outcomes from this review are yet to be determined, but the MMO aims to have completed this work by late summer this year. For technical questions relating to dual authorisations and MCRS, please contact the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) directly via the dedicated mailbox: bass@marinemanagement.org.uk. They’ll be best placed to provide detailed guidance on these matters.
You may also find the Bass Industry Guidance 2025 helpful, which outlines current regulatory requirements and operational procedures.