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Home » Boat Fishing » Sussex Minimum Landing Sizes

Sussex Minimum Landing Sizes

BY Ray - UPDATED 04/03/2020

The laws governing the minimum sizes for landing of sea fish are laid down by the EU.

Additionally in the UK we have regional bodies called IFCA’s (Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities) who can set higher minimum sizes for their region than the EU regulations dictate.

Unfortunately the regulations don’t currently take into account the size at which various species achieve sexual maturity, which in itself is open to scientific debate. Furthermore, many species have no minimum size set whatsoever! (Black Bream being one example).

At the time of writing this post the whole EU Common Fisheries Policy is being reviewed but for now the minimum retention sizes laid down by the Sussex IFCA are as follows:

   Species   Sussex Minimum Size   Notes
   Whiting   27cm                                           
   Cod   35cm 
   Herring   20cm 
   Pollack   30cm 
   Saithe   35cm 
   Mackerel   20cm 
   Horse Mackerel      15cm 
   Sardine   11cm 
   Plaice   27cm 
   Ling   63cm 
   Hake   27cm 
   Bass   42cm 
   Dover Sole   24cm 
   Megrim   20cm 
   Lobster   87mm   carapace length
   Edible Crab   140mm   carapace width
   Velvet Crab   65mm   carapace width
   Spider Crab (Male)   130mm   carapace length
   Spider Crab (Female)    120mm   carapace length

Source: Minimum Sizes – Sussex IFCA

Landing Bans

In addition to the the minimum sizes stated above the following species are protected by law:

  1. European (Silver) Eels MUST be returned.
  2. Tope MUST be returned.
  3. Shad MUST be returned.
  4. It is proposed that Monkfish are to be protected soon.

Conservation Recommendations

  1. Undulate Ray are endangered and return is recommended.
  2. Porbeagle Shark are endangered and return is recommended.
  3. Spurdog are endangered and return is recommended.

Grey Viking Policy

On Grey Viking we respect the laws and recommendations above vigorously and additionally it is our policy to return all Conger Eel to preserve stocks on our wrecks.

We also encourage the return of all fish that are not destined for the table and remind our customers that it is ILLEGAL to SELL  your catch.

This post will be amended or rewritten as legislation changes.

Filed Under: Boat Fishing

About Ray

Ray is the sole owner of Brighton Charter Fishing Ltd and Skipper of Grey Viking II. Professionally Ray has a commercially endorsed Yachtmaster Offshore qualification. Ray also designed this website and writes the content for it.

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