Join a co-sponsored roundtable on the new recreational pollack bag limit

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Angling Trust are inviting recreational anglers to attend an online session to explain the new mandatory recreational pollack bag limit – and to answer your questions directly.

Why is this happening?

To support the long-term recovery of pollack stocks across the English Channel, Celtic Sea and west of Scotland (ICES areas 6 and 7), the UK and EU agreed – as part of last year’s annual fisheries negotiations – to introduce a mandatory daily recreational bag limit of three pollack per person.

Pollack is a hugely important species for many in the recreational sea angling community, particularly for the charter fleet and the coastal communities they support. We recognise that this new measure presents an additional challenge for those businesses.

The Angling Trust has raised these concerns directly with the Fisheries Minister, highlighting the need to properly consider the economic and social importance of recreational angling. This online session – alongside wider engagement – is a key opportunity to ensure your voices are heard and understood. We strongly encourage all who are affected by these measures to join the meeting.

What will the session cover?

This online session is your opportunity to hear directly from Defra and better understand:

• Why the new bag limit is being introduced
• The scientific evidence underpinning the decision
• How the recreational sector is considered and managed
• When the new bag limit is expected to come into force

There will also be an opportunity to have your questions addressed. If you’d like to submit a question in advance, please send it to [email protected] by 24th April, and we will aim to address it during the session.

Event details

• Date: 28 April
• Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
• Location: Online via Teams

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If you’re unable to attend, we will circulate a written summary of the key points discussed after the session.

Have your say on wider pollack management

Please note that this session will focus specifically on the new recreational bag limit.

If you have views on wider pollack stock management, these should be submitted through the UK Government consultation on the Celtic Sea and Western Channel demersal Fisheries Management Plan, which is open until 5 May. The Angling Trust will be submitting a full response.

Celtic Sea and Western Channel demersal Fisheries Management Plan consultation

This is an important moment for the future of pollack and our fisheries. By engaging constructively, complying with measures, and continuing to make the case for recreational angling, we can help secure sustainable fish stocks and a thriving future for our sport and coastal communities.

Supporting stock recovery now

The mandatory measure is being introduced, and at the same time, we continue to encourage voluntary compliance with the Pollack Pact. By adopting responsible practices now, anglers can play a vital role in supporting stock recovery and helping to rebuild a healthy, sustainable pollack fishery for the future.