Seabass

Last checked on:
23 December 2025

Seabass stocks are not doing well. The stocks are slowly recovering, but they are not yet at the desired level.Therefore, the European Union (EU) has implemented measures to conserve the seabass population. Restrictions apply, such as a fishing ban. There are derogations to this ban.

Fishing ban

It is prohibited for EU fishing vessels to fish for seabass in the following areas:

  • ICES divisions 4b and 4c (the central and southern parts of the North Sea)
  • ICES subarea 7 (the English Channel and the waters west and south of Ireland)

It is also prohibited to retain on board, tranship, relocate, or land seabass caught in the areas listed above. Have you accidentally caught seabass? Then you must release it. This is not necessary if one of the derogations below applies to you.

Minimum conservation reference size

The minimum conservation reference size for seabass is 42 centimetres. This means that you must always release seabass smaller than 42 centimetres. You have to register these catches in your fishing logbook.

You may only land seabass equal to or larger than 42 centimetres if a derogation applies to you. Otherwise, you must release all seabass that you caught.

Derogations from the ban per fishing gear

In some cases, you are allowed to deviate from the ban. There are 4 derogations. These apply only to vessels using:

  • bottom trawls
  • seines
  • hooks and lines
  • fixed gillnets

Catch limits apply. These limits apply per vessel. You may not transfer them to another vessel, even if it is in your own possession.

The derogations apply to EU fishing vessels in these areas:

  • Central and Southern North Sea (ICES divisions 4b and 4c)
  • English Channel (ICES divisions 7d and 7e)
  • Celtic Sea (ICES divisions 7f to 7h)

There is a full ban in February and March 2026. You may not catch, retain on board, tranship, relocate or land any seabass during this period.

Derogation 1: bottom trawls

Do you fish with a bottom trawl (gear codes OTB, OTT, PTB, TBB, TBN, TBS and TB)? Then you are not allowed to target seabass. Do you catch seabass as unavoidable bycatch? In 2026, the catch limit is 10,000 kilograms per vessel. This means that you are allowed to catch, retain on board, tranship, relocate, or land 10,000 kilograms of seabass. This was 3,800 kilograms in 2025.

The seabass catches per fishing trip may not exceed 20% of the weight of the total catch on board. In 2025, this was 10% per fishing trip. This derogation applies only in January and from 1 April to 31 December. You do not need a seabass fishing authorisation.

Derogation 2: seines

Do you fish with a seine (gear codes SSC, SDN, SPR, SV, SB and SX)? Then you are not allowed to target seabass. Do you catch seabass as unavoidable bycatch? In 2026, the catch limit is 10,000 kilograms per vessel. This means that in 2026, you are allowed to catch, retain on board, tranship, relocate, or land 10,000 kilograms of seabass. In 2025, this was 3,800 kilograms.

The seabass catches per fishing trip may not exceed 20% of the weight of the total catch on board. In 2025, this was 10% per fishing trip. This derogation applies only in January and from 1 April to 31 December. You do not need a seabass fishing authorisation.

Derogation 3: hooks and lines

Do you fish with hooks and lines from a fishing vessel (gear code LHP)? Then you are allowed to target seabass if you have a seabass fishing authorisation for handline fishing. Have you caught seabass without a fishing authorisation? Then you must release it immediately. You must register these catches in your fishing logbook. 

In 2026, the catch limit is 8,000 kilograms per vessel with a seabass fishing authorisation for handline fishing. This means that in 2026, you are allowed to catch, retain on board, tranship, relocate, or land 8,000 kilograms of seabass. In 2025, this was 6,800 kilograms. This derogation applies only in January and from 1 April to 31 December.

Derogation 4: fixed gillnets

Do you fish with fixed gillnets (gear codes GTR, GNS, GNC, FYK, FPN and FIX)? Then you are not allowed to target seabass.

Do you catch seabass as bycatch? And do you have a fishing authorisation for the unavoidable bycatch of seabass with fixed gillnets? In 2026, the catch limit is 5,400 kilograms per vessel. This means that in 2026, you are allowed to catch, retain on board, tranship, relocate, or land 5,400 kilograms of bycatch of seabass. In 2025, this was 1,800 kilograms. This derogation applies only in January and from 1 April to 31 December.

Have you caught seabass without a fishing authorisation for the unavoidable bycatch of seabass with fixed gillnets? Then you must release it immediately. You must register these catches in your fishing logbook.

Rules for recreational fishing

Do you fish recreationally for seabass? Please be aware of the different rules that apply. These can differ between areas. For recreational fishing in the Netherlands you can find more information on Recreational fishing in coastal waters, sea area, and the Dutch Visserijzone.

ICES-divisions 4b, 4c, 6a en 7a-7k

Do you catch seabass between 1 February and 31 March 2026? Then you have to release the fish immediately. You are not allowed to keep, tranship, relocate, or land seabass during this period. Even if it is larger than 42 centimetres.

In January and from 1 April to 31 December 2026, each fisher may catch and keep a maximum of 3 seabass per day. But only if the seabass is at least 42 centimetres long. You are not allowed to use fixed nets recreationally to catch or keep seabass.

ICES-divisions 8a and 8b

In the Bay of Biscay, you may take a maximum of 2 seabass per day year-round. You are not allowed to use fixed nets to catch or keep seabass.

Rules and regulations

Read more about the restrictions and the derogations in:

Additional rules

Additional rules or regulations may apply per area. This varies by fishing gear. Do you want to know what applies to you? Please send an e-mail to vr@rvo.nl.

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