However, anglers are being reminded that they must conform to strict rules which only allow people to catch one bass per day. Commercial bass fishing is restricted to a small number of Jersey-licensed vessels with a Jersey Bass Permit which must report all catches, according to the States website.
A ministerial decision, declaring the season open, was signed by Assistant Environment Minister Gregory Guida to bring the Island in line with the rest of northern Europe.
The move is a result of analysis of local and regional data, which indicates a recovering population. A bass-fishing season will now be in place from April until 31 October each year.
Deputy Guida said: ‘Recreational anglers are obliged to follow the limit of one fish per day, bearing in mind that this popular local fish is still in recovery.
‘Prudent fishing practices are essential in the interests of sustainability and we insist all fishers follow the regulations to protect this species so in the future we can continue to enjoy it.’
Last autumn it was announced that the bass ban which came into force in February 2017 had been lifted and fishermen could land one bass per day. However, it was not widely publicised that in the ministerial decision lifting the ban it was stated that the restrictions would be reapplied at the end of 2018. This week’s announcement effectively sets out a new season which will finish at the end of October.
Don Thompson, president of the Jersey Fishermen’s Association, said that commercial operators had worked hard to come up with a low-impact scheme that made good-quality local fish available to shoppers and diners in the Island.
‘We are incredibly proud of Jersey’s fishing heritage and the seafood it produces is some of the best in the world,’ he said.
‘We hope that Islanders visiting the fishmongers and eating out will choose local bass and support our fishing boats.’
Any bass caught by approved Jersey fishermen and put up for sale will have a tag through its mouth and gills to indicate that it has come from a sustainable local fishery.
