Bass MLS Decision - Latest

SACN understands that the new fisheries minister, Jonathan Shaw, rather than simply relying on the advice of DEFRA officials, will be calling on the main stakeholders to come together in a combined meeting, so that he can discuss with them jointly the various issues surrounding the possibility of raising the Minimum Landing Size for bass.

Given the timescales involved in arranging such a meeting, and finding space in the new minister's diary, the meeting is likely to take place in September and hopefully the ministers decision will be announced shortly thereafter.

It is likely that those invited to the meeting will include CEFAS, RSA representatives and representatives from the commercial fishing sector.

As it is the intention to intitiate the 12 week DEFRA RSA Strategy consultation after the bass mls decision has been announced, this will of course affect the timescale for the launch of that consultation.