The UK government has welcomed the news that the European Commission has announced emergency measures to protect sea bass stocks during the spawning season.
An emergency closure will now apply to pelagic and mid-water trawlers targeting bass between January and April from the North Sea in the east, round the south coast of England, to the Irish Sea in the west.
George Eustice, UK Fisheries Minister, said: “The UK has consistently argued that there is a need to reduce fishing pressure and prevent the collapse of stocks, the science is unequivocal.”
EU Member States are now expected to try to secure a wider package of measures that achieve a balanced approach to declining bass numbers over the next few weeks.
The UK is keen that measures should reflect the contribution of both commercial fisheries and recreational anglers.
