Guernsey Press

Protection of bass stocks 'under review'

BASS stocks are declining locally, mirroring national trends, Commerce and Employment has said.

Published

After the issue of bass stocks was raised in a Westminster hall debate, a Commerce and Employment spokesman said the reduction could be down to a number of factors.

'The department's Sea Fisheries section monitors landings of all commercial species in Bailiwick waters via logbooks, which are compulsory for all Bailiwick of Guernsey licensed fishing vessels.

'These records confirm that bass landings since 2010 have been lower than previously recorded when bass abundance in Bailiwick waters was greater, particularly during the winter months.

'Populations fluctuate naturally and the reasons for this decline are less clear and could be due to climate, spawning success and survival of juveniles, fishing mortality or a combination of these and other factors.'

A minimum landing size of 36cm is enforced and there is a complete ban on pair trawling within the zero to six-mile limit of Bailiwick waters, the spokesman added, in an attempt to protect 'spawning aggregations' of bass from exploitation.

These and other measures designed to protect the species were under review, it added.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.