Maximum conservation reference sizes for wrasse species are set out in the wrasse guidelines. All live wrasses above these sizes must be returned to fishing immediately. In the IFCA Southern District, the following minimum size rules apply: The current size limits for Great Britain are constantly maintained at britishseafishing.co.uk. The table summarizes the European Union and United Kingdom MCRS applicable in British waters (Region 2) and to British vessels. If you fish within 6 nautical miles in English waters or in waters controlled by Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales, additional minimum sizes may be set by the competent authorities. Please check with the Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority (IFCAs), the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Marine Scotland (MS) or the Welsh Government (WG). It is prohibited to take a hull from a fishery using a measuring device with a square opening of 23.8 mm on each side. Other catch limits also apply. Full details of the statutes can be found here. The Angling Trust believes that while many anglers practice their sport and occasionally keep fish for consumption, they also take a conservation-oriented approach and support campaigns to ensure that commercial exploitation of stocks is carried out at sustainable levels. To this end, the Angling Trust believes in giving all fish species the chance to spawn at least once before being caught. 1.

Legal legislation: This regulation sets minimum sizes for the whole country and therefore includes less common species in Kent and Essex waters. Below is a list of links to relevant national legislation. The legal basis of the MCRS previously included EU legislation, but now that the UK has left the EU, the legal basis is a combination of UK national legislation (“legal instruments”) and local legislation such as regulations introduced by the Coastal Fisheries and Nature Conservation Authorities (IFCA). Some species are fully protected, including non-fishing. Please note that we strive to keep this list of minimum fish retention sizes as accurate and up-to-date as possible. However, changes in the law and laws are constantly taking place. This means that changes in minimum sizes may not be reflected in the following information. The table below is therefore provided for illustrative purposes only. We recognize that many recreational marine fishers may be reluctant to search the IFCA websites to find out which legal MCRS apply in the area where they fish, and instead rely on a variety of sources, such as voluntary minimum size lists published by their clubs. Minimum size rules are a simple and effective method of sustainable fisheries management, both in the commercial and recreational sectors. This regulation aims to prevent the removal of juveniles from the stock, which means they are more likely to mature and reproduce, thereby increasing population size.

2. IFCA Local Regulations: These set minimum sizes specific to each IFCA district and generally reflect the most common species in that region. Local minimum sizes may be stricter than national limits and may vary in different parts of the country, so it is recommended to check the local IFCA website before fishing. It shall be prohibited to retain on board, tranhip, land, transport, store, sell, display or offer for sale listed fish or mollusc and crustacean species below the minimum conservation reference size laid down in the list. These fish or crustaceans must be thrown back into the sea without delay. The minimum conservation reference sizes set out in the Annexes to this Regulation shall apply to all participants in fishing, both recreational and commercial, and to the entire supply chain. Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 lays down the technical conservation measures to be followed by Union fishing vessels. Article 13 of Directive 2019/1241 lays down the minimum conservation reference sizes (CMSS) for marine species applicable to commercial fishing vessels. In the past, British fishermen had to comply with legally binding minimum sizes for a variety of finfish.

These sizes are known as minimum conservation reference sizes (MCRS). So, to make sure that you definitely abide by the laws of this country, and also make sure that you are more athletic when it comes to catching fish on the beach or boat, why not print and follow the size guidelines chart below. For the Protection and Conservation of Fisheries Resources (MCRS) (formerly “minimum sizes”) are applied to certain species of fish and shellfish. The following tables are for illustrative purposes only. Articles 17 to 19b and Annexes XII to XIII of Council Regulation (EC) No 850/98 establish the measurement of marine organisms subject to SCGRS, derogations from the requirements and the list of current EU minimum conservation reference sizes. The maturity parameters presented here were formulated from the best evidence available at the time. If you have more information and can provide referenced studies to update this information, we would love to hear from you. Please email us at [email protected] The Angling Trust has reviewed the websites of all AFIs and compiled all MCRS published on them. From this data, we selected the highest MCRS we found for each species. Referring to this column in our table below, an angler fishing in an IFCA area can reasonably be sure that if he chooses to keep a fish and that fish is not under the relevant MCRS list, he would not be committing an illegal act.

The situation with IFCAs regarding MCRS is currently somewhat fluid as some IFCA reviews are ongoing, so our list serves only as a first guide. In the event of a dispute, the applicable IFCA statutes in whose territory the fish was caught shall prevail. They can be found at these links: – No person may remove bivalve molluscs less than 50 mm in length from a fishery. Exceptions apply to the relocation of bivalve molluscs for breeding purposes. See details here. · Regulation (EU) 2017/2107: Minimum size of swordfish in the North Atlantic www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2017/2107/article/19 Minimum landing sizes are used worldwide for the management of fish stocks. As a sensible approach to conservation and an easy-to-understand concept (protection of immature fish) and apply to fishing, they are particularly recognized by recreational fishermen as an important conservation method for fish.