The latest on those new bass regulations

[g-force]

I've posted this on the thread re. the Whitley Open this sunday, but thought I'd also post it here as I think it could be of general interest as well:

There seems to be some confusion amongst a lot of anglers just what is the current position with regard to the latest planned restrictions on catching/keeping bass...with the open coming up on Sunday I thought we needed some official clarification on the matter, so I've been into the NIFCA office today to find out the current official position - here is the body of an e-mail that I've just had in response to my enquiries:

Hi Gary, as per our conversation earlier I have been in contact with the MMO. Apparently the new Statutory Instrument regarding Bass has been written and passed but not published.

This will be done alongside the publication of the 2016 TACs and Quota regulations (any day now).

Basically the officers at the MMO (and I agree) have concluded that until the official publication the bag limit of 3 per day is still in effect.
I will endeavour to let you know ASAP if anything new comes to my attention.


So I plan to keep an eye on the situation over the next few days and if the current position has not changed, I'll get a notice up on here & other sites announcing that anglers will be able to weigh in bass (up to three). If the new legislation is published before the weekend then bass will be ineligible. It's unfortunate that all this is occurring right now as it makes announcing our position a last minute thing, but I don't want to ban them prematurely when it's actually still legal to catch & retain them.

Cheers, Gary

[Holl5080]

I rang them as well Gary, last week. They said they would get back to me, but haven't, so thanks for clarifying their position. They also said the MMO wouldnt know?!

[Charlton]

from my article in the Sunday Sun, they printed it all

In 24 hours anglers have put 10,000 signatures to a petition which is enough to challenge the Government over the European Union's decision to stop us keeping our bass whilst allowing netsmen sail in and take the very same stocks we're trying to protect. The EU where going to stop anglers from taking bass until July then theey could take one, while commercials where being restricted to a mere 1.5 ton a day, another useless piece of EU legislation. TV presenter Mtt Hayes posted that it was “One small step for fishing and a giant leap in angling unity. Always though he was a bit corny.

[g-force]

I don't know if the petition is going to delay the publication from the MMO Alan. I must admit, I thought the new regs just applied carte-blanche from the 1st of Jan, but after some uncertainty and various gossip on social media I figured I needed to know what was going on. Turns out that until the MMO publish the new regulation, the 2015 regs remain in force. According to the MMO's last notice on the matter, this was due to be "early January 2016".

Here's the last statement from the MMO:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-commercial-and-recreational-fishing-restrictions-for-bass-in-2016

So the change could come any day now I guess....

Gary