In February 2017, it was announced that anglers would only be allowed to catch the species with a hook and line for ‘catch and release’.
A maximum of 12 boats were also given a permit to target bass using the same method but are only allowed to sell their catch to local restaurants. The fish must also be tagged to show their origin.
Now, according to the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea [ICES] – the body which provides the EU with scientific information and data – the numbers of the species are recovering at a higher than expected rate and amateur fishermen should be allowed to catch one fish, per person, per day for three months between 1 October and 31 December.
A spokesman for the Fisheries and Marine Resources Section said that Jersey normally followed ICES recommendations but it was unable to say exactly what could happen.
‘The EU were scheduled to make a decision on this on 27 September. Jersey will generally follow ICES guidance but we are waiting to see what the EU does before making a final decision,’ he said. ‘Hopefully, we shall know what Jersey’s position on this will be by the end of this week.’
According to a European Commission advice sheet, the ban could be lifted as far away as the North Sea.
It said: ‘In this advice ICES indicated a lower fishing mortality from recreational fisheries and a higher survival rate from the catch-and-release practice than previously estimated,’ it said.
‘Therefore, it is appropriate to introduce a daily bag limit of one fish per day for recreational fishermen applicable in October – December 2018.’
