May 30th 26
Both sea bass and mackerel are subject to UK national legislation and Southern IFCA (Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority) regulations at West Bay (Bridport Harbour) and Eype Beach.
The exact breakdown of the laws for recreational anglers indicates specific limits for both species:
1. Sea Bass Regulations
Sea bass regulations are strictly enforced across the UK.
- Daily Bag Limit: You are legally allowed to retain a maximum of 3 sea bass per person, per day.
- Current Season: Right now, you are within the open retention season. The yearly schedule breaks down as follows:
- 1 April – 31 December: Retention of up to 3 fish per day is permitted.
- 1 January – 31 January: Retention of up to 3 fish per day is permitted.
- 1 February – 31 March: Catch-and-release only (it is illegal to keep any bass during these months).
- Minimum Size (MCRS): Any bass you keep must measure at least 42 cm in length (measured from the tip of the snout to the furthest point of the tail fin). Any undersized fish must be returned to the water immediately.
- Gear Restrictions: Bass can only be caught recreationally using a rod and line or a handline. Using fixed nets, drift nets, or engaging in “foul-hooking” is strictly illegal.
- Local Nursery Zones: While other parts of Dorset (such as Poole Harbour and The Fleet) are designated Bass Nursery Areas with strict boat-fishing and bait restrictions, West Bay and Eype Beach are not nursery zones. There are no extra seasonal bait bans for these specific beaches.
2. Mackerel Regulations
Mackerel rules are much less restrictive and focus entirely on the size of the fish rather than the quantity caught.
- Daily Bag Limit: There is no catch limit or bag limit for recreational shore or boat anglers. You can keep as many as you plan to use.
- Minimum Size (MCRS): For the Southern UK coast (English Channel region), the minimum legal landing size for mackerel is 20 cm.
- Live Bait Exception: You are permitted to retain undersized mackerel (under 20 cm) on a boat only if they are kept alive in a tank to be used as live bait. They cannot be killed or brought ashore (landed) if they are under the 20 cm limit.
Quick Reference Summary
| Species | Daily Catch Limit | Minimum Legal Size | Seasonal Restrictions |
| Sea Bass | 3 fish per day | 42 cm | Catch & Release only from Feb 1 to Mar 31. |
| Mackerel | Unlimited | 20 cm | None (Open all year). |
Local Angling Restrictions at West Bay Harbour
If you are planning to fish directly from the pier or harbour structures, keep the local safety byelaws in mind:
- The Pier Channel: You are strictly prohibited from casting into or fishing within the main harbour entrance channel along the East Pier. Clear signage on the piers dictates where you can and cannot cast.
- Permitted Pier Fishing: You are allowed to float fish or use handlines off the end of the East Pier and along designated sections of the harbour side of the Jurassic Pier.
- Beach Fishing: Both East Beach (West Bay) and Eype Beach shelve off into deep water quickly, making them excellent for targeting bass in the surf or mackerel at distance. However, local etiquette dictates avoiding beach fishing when swimmers or holidaymakers are nearby during peak daytime hours.
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