Bass Minimum Landing Size

[David Brock]

Commercial fishing is a necessary part of the fabric of society, however the industry has a poor record of restraint when it comes to ensuring the sustainability of fish stocks. The loss of North Sea herring and cod are just two examples of the failure of restraint.

The bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fishery is an example of one species under considerable threat of exploitation. The recreational sea angling group has proposed that the Minimum Landing Size (MLS) for the taking of bass should be increased to 45cm which is the size whereby each fish will have spawned at least once.

Needless to say the commercial industry is against this move. Defra had recognized the importance of increasing the MLS and last year announced an interim increase to 40cm starting 6th April 2007 with a view to a larger increase in 2010. Unfortunately a last minute meeting with the commercial sector has put a hold on any increase. In the interim the immature bass continue to be over exploited.

There is a petition at the No. 10 Downing Street website to increase the MLS to 45cm. You can support this by signing up at:
Petition to: Increase the MLS for Bass to 45cm for commercial and recreational anglers.

More information on this issue is available at Bass Anglers' Sportfishing Society

[graham_hk]

Originally Posted by David Brock

Commercial fishing is a necessary part of the fabric of society, however the industry has a poor record of restraint when it comes to ensuring the sustainability of fish stocks. The loss of North Sea herring and cod are just two examples of the failure of restraint.

The bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fishery is an example of one species under considerable threat of exploitation. The recreational sea angling group has proposed that the Minimum Landing Size (MLS) for the taking of bass should be increased to 45cm which is the size whereby each fish will have spawned at least once.

Needless to say the commercial industry is against this move. Defra had recognized the importance of increasing the MLS and last year announced an interim increase to 40cm starting 6th April 2007 with a view to a larger increase in 2010. Unfortunately a last minute meeting with the commercial sector has put a hold on any increase. In the interim the immature bass continue to be over exploited.

There is a petition at the No. 10 Downing Street website to increase the MLS to 45cm. You can support this by signing up at:
Petition to: Increase the MLS for Bass to 45cm for commercial and recreational anglers.

More information on this issue is available at Bass Anglers' Sportfishing Society

Since fecundity does not linearly increase with size it is normally better to protect larger females. Lets have some science to back this up.

My professional opinion is restrict everybody to one fish (that will stop commercial) and encourage others to put the biggies back. I know it is impractical...

[David Brock]

The science behind the 45cm rule is at:
Bass Anglers' Sportfishing Society: Bass mls - scientific view

Clearly there is variation between individual fish but a clear rule is required if there is to be any hope of enforcement.