The latest ICES advice for bass in areas 4b–c, 7a, and 7d–h has triggered a flurry of anticipation. The headline figure, an increase in advised total removals from 2,620 tonnes in 2025 to 5,180 tonnes in 2026, may look like a green light to ramp up fishing pressure. But anglers and policymakers alike should think very carefully before calling for higher bag limits or increased commercial landings. A Doubling of Advice, But Built on Fragile

Cornwall’s Seafood Economy: Beyond the Catch Cornwall fishing’s lobbying report “Value of Seafood to Cornwall” paints a picture of a seafood sector utterly dependent on the catching fleet1. It notes ~7,800 local seafood jobs (2.9% of Cornwall’s workforce vs 0.7% nationally) and claims every onshore seafood job is ultimately tied to fishing. By using the statement “For every job in the CIoS catching sector, there are 15 more jobs across Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

Recreational Angling Mitigation in the Old Colwyn Coastal Defence Scheme YourAnglingVoice has been asked to look into the issues inhibiting the recreational angling enjoyment of the new pier at Splash Point, Colwyn Bay. Specifically, the pier has been rendered useless to anglers because of fixed gill nets being set within 60 yards of the end of the pier, entangling any recreational angling lines that are cast, which risks the creation of ‘ghost gear’ in the

Introduction Current policy allows commercial fishing fleets to operate in most of our seas by default, even using highly destructive methods like bottom trawling, with minimal site-specific oversight. In contrast, land-based developers face rigorous environmental checks before breaking ground, even a small building extension can trigger costly surveys for protected species such as bats or newts. This paper argues for reversing that imbalance. Fisheries, especially those employing destructive gear like bottom trawls, should have to

Bold Promises on Bottom Trawling Ban (Election Campaign) In the last general election campaign, Labour made sweeping promises to protect UK waters. The party pledged to “enact a ban on bottom-trawling in UK waters” if elected1. Labour’s Shadow Environment Minister at the time, Toby Perkins, emphasised that they would “stop destructive bottom trawling that is destroying our ocean ecosystem,” calling it “one of our first measures” in government2. This went beyond just Marine Protected Areas

The UK commercial fishing industry often claims it is a cornerstone of food security and vital to supporting coastal communities. But when you dig beneath the surface, a very different story emerges, one of exporting valuable resources, importing cheap labour, and leaving coastal communities out of the picture. Exporting Our Fish According to Seafish, a staggering 60–80% of fish caught by UK vessels is shipped abroad. This means most fish caught commercially in our waters

The Cornish Fish Producers Organisation (CFPO) are back doing what they do best: deploying slick communications to present Cornish fishers as perennial victims, while portraying every attempt to improve fisheries management as an existential threat to their way of life. It’s a tactic that has long won them sympathy from MPs, but it’s wearing thin under scrutiny. Let’s be clear from the outset: it’s been a long time since commercial fisheries have meaningfully supported local

The proposed ban on industrial bottom trawling in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) is long overdue. It’s a step most marine users — anglers, conservationists, and even some commercial operators, have called for. But while this may feel like a straightforward win for our seas, there are real risks that come with it if we don’t think ahead. Displacement has consequences. And unless those consequences are addressed in the legislation from day one, we could be

The UK Government is poised to launch a public consultation on banning industrial bottom trawling from Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). After years of pressure from campaigners, scientists and sea users, this consultation could finally pave the way for real protection of our most sensitive marine sites. But let’s be absolutely clear: this is not a done deal. The consultation must succeed. It must show overwhelming, informed support. And it must outmatch the coordinated, well-funded resistance