Information

Minimum Sizes

Minimum Conservation Reference Size Byelaw

A person must not take, retain on board, tranship, land, transport, store, sell, display or offer for sale from a fishery within the District, any fish or shellfish species specified in the schedules which measure less than the minimum conservation reference size specified in the schedule. Any such fish or shellfish must be returned to the sea immediately. 

The Minimum Conservation Reference Sizes listed in the schedules of this Byelaw apply to  all fishery participants, both recreational and commercial, and throughout the supply chain. 

To view the MCRS Byelaw, click here. To read more about the MCRS Byelaw, please see our MCRS Byelaw FAQs here. 

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See the Southern IFCA website for more details

Recreational Fishing for Bass

Recreational fishers are subject to the following rules:

• 2023 Year  - Bass may only be retained between 1 January to 31 January and 1 April to 31 December

• Bass may  not  be retained during February and March 2023

• Two Bass may be retained per person, per day within this period

• Bass retained between these dates must measure at least the Minimum Conservation Reference Size of 42cm in length

• Fixed nets and drift nets cannot be used to catch or retain bass

• These rules apply when fishing from a boat or from the shore

• Please see the MMO website for the full recreational Bass Fishing rules.

It is prohibited to fish for Bass in any Bass Nursery Area. Click here for more information.

Minimum Sizes for Commercial Fishers - Technical Conservation Measures 2019/1241

Regulation 2019/1241  specifies the Technical Conservation Measures that Union fishing vessels must follow. Article 13 of 2019/1241 details the Minimum Conservation Reference Sizes (MCRS) of marine species that apply to commercial fishing vessels.

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Useful Resources:

Please click here to download our Southern IFCA wheelhouse card which summarises the regulations, including minimum sizes, that apply within the Southern IFCA District, in addition to species measurement guides.

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If you live and fish recreationally or commercially within the Southern IFCA District and would like a Southern IFCA Minimum Fish Size Sticker, please contact southern IFCA with your postal address.