Sea bass protection needs clarity

In the face of new European regulations, it has stated that all recreational fishing is on a catch-and-release basis only for this year.

The trouble is, when challenged on what law it is using to enforce this measure, it has gone mute.

Some local shore anglers see the move as draconian, especially when compared to commercial operators – while there is a ban this month and next in that sector, after that trawlers can keep bycatch and vessels using hooks and lines have an annual limit of five tonnes.

Recreational fishing not only has a strong tradition in the island, it is also one of those sectors that with a bit of support could be used to attract more visitors to these shores.

Fish conservation is a controversial topic, one that has firmly been in the spotlight in part thanks to high-profile TV shows by celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and his campaign for a discard ban to end the waste of edible fish.

Brexit is also putting fisheries management back on the agenda. How the UK and in-turn the dependencies control and manage their waters once the ties to the EU have been cut is one of the many unknowns.

Guernsey fishermen will hope that it leads to more flexibility to take account of local circumstances rather than imposing limits designed from above.

But whatever the future holds, decisions need to be evidence led and based on solid ground – not simply dressed up in legal language.

While some commercial operators are left free to scoop up tonnes of fish, recreational fishermen will rightly feel that the balance has been tilted in the wrong direction.

There will always be a tension with conservation measures – but no-one is blind to the need to protect endangered stocks or risk losing them forever.

What is needed now is clarity from Sea Fisheries about the powers that are in place.

What is needed in the future is a more skilfully designed conservation and management regime.