Black bream benefit from local protections during their spring spawning season, with some areas closed to angling and best-practice guidelines encouraged across the UK.

Black Bream Regulations (UK Recreational Angling)

Legal Protections & Local Byelaws

While there is no national legislation specifically governing black bream, regional protections are in place during the spawning season, primarily enforced through IFCA byelaws.

Spawning Season:

• Typically April to June, but varies slightly by region and water temperature.

Protected Areas / IFCA Byelaws:

• Sussex IFCA:

  • Closed area off Kingmere Rocks (a designated Marine Conservation Zone).

  • No angling or boat anchoring allowed during spawning season.

  • Aims to protect bream nests (“nests” or “pits”) built in seabed gravel.

• Southern IFCA:

  • May restrict netting or impose gear limitations in key bream spawning grounds.

  • Recreational anglers advised to release bream during peak spawning.

• Other IFCAs (e.g. Devon & Severn, Eastern):

  • Monitor bream activity; may introduce seasonal voluntary codes or restrictions if stock concerns arise.

Key Locations with Known Spawning Grounds

• Kingmere Reef (Sussex)

• Poole Bay (Southern England)

• Offshore reefs in Lyme Bay and around the Isle of Wight

• Southwest coastal reefs in Cornwall and Devon

Anglers are encouraged to check local IFCA byelaws and Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) rules before fishing.

Best Practices for Responsible Black Bream Fishing

Even where fishing is permitted, responsible behaviour during the spawning season helps safeguard future stocks:

• Voluntarily release spawning fish, Not just females as is encouraged with other species, as the large males are responsible for guarding the nests.

• Use circle hooks when bait fishing to reduce gut-hooking.

• Avoid anchoring over bream nests, which are easily damaged.

• Do not fish in closed zones or designated MCZs where restrictions apply.

• Handle fish with wet hands and avoid removing protective slime.

• Avoid competitions targeting bream during spawning season.

Background and Conservation Context

Black bream are a nest-building species, where males dig and defend nests in shallow gravel beds. This makes them highly vulnerable to disturbance, particularly from heavy gear and anchor chains. Increasing angling pressure and habitat damage in inshore reef systems have raised concerns about stock sustainability in some regions.

While not currently under national regulation, black bream are being closely watched, and voluntary cooperation by recreational anglers is critical to avoid formal restrictions.