For decades, fisheries policy in the UK and beyond has followed a well-worn script: conservation groups push for limits whilst fishers push back in defence of livelihoods. Both sides are cast as adversaries, locked in a zero-sum tug-of-war between healthy seas and healthy profits. But what if the real problem isn’t the fishers, or the eNGOs? What if the fight is misdirected and the enemy is a system that fails both? A System That Serves

Every fishing rod cast toward the horizon symbolises the millions of recreational anglers with a stake in our seas. Yet under the MMO’s marine licensing rules, those anglers are effectively second-class citizens. The UK’s Fisheries Act 2020 finally gave sea angling equal legal standing to commercial fishing, even mandating government support for the “promotion and development” of recreational angling. In theory that means anglers should have a seat at the table when decisions are made.

The Fisheries Act 2020 (sec. 25) requires that all UK quota allocations be based on “transparent and objective” criteria (including environmental, social and economic factors)(publications.parliament.uk). It also expressly directs authorities to “incentivise” the use of selective fishing gear and low-impact techniques (publications.parliament.uk). Official guidance (Defra/MMO) claims current English quota rules already meet these tests (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk), aiming to rebuild stocks “for the long-term benefit of all” while giving “economic and social certainty” to fishing communities. But industry

There was much concern expressed this week by Sussex based match anglers who have found themselves facing significant restrictions when it comes to gathering the required bait to fish their matches. Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) have finally confirmed their hand gathering byelaw, which places the following ‘bag limits’ on any recreational collections. 2 lobsters 5 edible crabs 30 crabs in total of any species other than Cancer pagurus 5 kilogrammes of mollusc

Introduction: Illegal fishing practices threaten the UK’s marine life and undermine honest fishers and anglers. Yet despite repeat offences, it’s virtually unheard of for English commercial fishers to lose their licences. This article explores why repeat fisheries offenders in England rarely (if ever) face licence revocation, focusing on the inherited EU penalty points system and real-world cases of serial violators in shellfisheries. We’ll see how current rules allow habitual offenders to keep fishing – and

In the world of fishing, especially carp fishing, krill-based baits have become incredibly popular. From pellets to boilies, many anglers turn to this small marine crustacean to boost their chances of a catch. But as the demand for krill grows, we need to take a step back and ask: is this really the best choice for the long-term health of our oceans? While the use of krill in fishing baits and fish food is a

In the UK, the idea of bag limits in recreational fishing tends to cause a lot of frustration. Historically, we’ve had very few limits on how many fish we can take home, with bass being the main exception. But now, voluntary measures for species like pollock and bream are starting to spread, and it looks like bag limits could become more common. So, is it really something we should worry about? Fishing as a Right

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification is widely seen as a mark of sustainability. The blue tick assures consumers that a fishery operates in a way that preserves fish stocks and protects the environment. However, there are growing concerns about the sustainability of certain fisheries with this certification, such as the Cornish gill net caught hake fishery. Despite hake itself being a key target species, the bycatch issues raised by this fishery challenge the very definition

SeaFish, the body established to support the UK’s commercial fishing industry, plays an important role. However, there is growing concern about the fairness of its funding model. The SeaFish levy, which is a legal requirement under the Sea Fish (Levy) Regulations 1999, mandates that businesses in the UK fishing industry contribute a percentage of their income. This levy is passed on to consumers through increased seafood prices. Essentially, this means that seafood consumers are funding