What you need to know - Introduction
Marine Management Organisation (MMO) will shortly be opening an application process, inviting English licensed (excluding crown dependencies) 8 m and under, monohull, commercial fishing vessels administered by MMO to apply for a limited number of authorisations to land bass caught by hooks and lines gear.
These opportunities follow the outcomes of the 2025 bass authorisation review, delivered under the Bass Fisheries Management Plan (FMP). The review identified ways to improve fishing opportunities in the bass fishery, support new entrants, and enhance sustainability.
Why this matters
The bass fishery has been carefully managed since 2015 to support stock recovery, with measures such as catch limits, seasonal closures, and authorisations helping to reduce pressure on the stock.
While these measures have improved sustainability, the review identified the need to ensure access to opportunities and alignment with broader goals such as reducing discards and supporting coastal communities.
What’s happening
The review identified that the total number of vessels authorised to land bass had declined over time and considered alternative approaches to managing access and to improve fishing opportunities:
- Reinstate a proportion of the total number of unused authorisations that were identified during the authorisation review.
What to expect
MMO will invite English licensed (excluding crown dependencies) commercial fishing vessels, administered by MMO, to apply for a limited number of authorisations to land bass caught by hooks and lines gear.
The process will only apply to 8 metre and under monohull vessels without a current bass authorisation and will be used to assess applicants against defined eligibility criteria.
65 unused authorisations will be made available and issued to successful applicants following a blind selection process. Applying will not guarantee access to the bass fishery but will be required to be considered.
Once the application window has closed, MMO will review all applications, identify which vessels are affected and determine the timing of decisions on bass fishing opportunities. All applicants will then be notified of the outcome of the blind selection process.
How to apply
Full guidance including details on eligibility, conditions and application routes will be published here MMO Fisheries Management Plan Updates - GOV.UK when the process opens.
The application process will open on Monday 9 November 2026 and be live over a 6-week period closing at midnight on Monday 21 December 2026.
MMO will undertake engagement around the coast to answer questions and help with the application process. Details of the engagement events will be published here FMP events.
