Has the Bass Stock “Recovered”?
The question of whether the bass stock has recovered is central to how the UK and the EU manage the bass fishery in 2026 and beyond — and it directly affects both recreational fishers and commercial fishers.
But it’s a difficult question to answer, for two reasons.
1. Scientific Uncertainty
The scientists can only provide an estimate of the bass stock level, because of various uncertainties. The June 2025 midpoint estimate was about 25,000 tonnes, but the actual stock level could be considerably higher or lower than that. The range of possible stock levels is shown by the green shading in the diagram below — from 19,800 tonnes to 31,400 tonnes.
Estimated European bass spawning stock biomass, showing uncertainty range (ICES, June 2025)
This uncertainty calls for a precautionary approach to management. If the bass stock were only just above the danger level, then increasing fishing pressure in 2026 would be a grave mistake.
2. What Level of Recovery Should We Aim For?
What should count as a “recovered” stock?
We believe the goal should be abundance — restoring an excellent bass fishery.
For recreational fishers, that would mean fewer blanks and a decent chance of catching a trophy fish. For small-scale commercial fishers, it would mean higher catches per unit of effort, bigger fish that fetch more per kilo and higher profits.
We’ve seen what abundance looks like — in the 1980s, when the bass fishing was superb.
But the fishery managers are aiming for a much lower stock level called “BMSY” (the biomass level expected to produce the greatest tonnage of bass killed over time). This means shrinking the bass stock by 8.7% in 2026.
Sea anglers and small-scale fishers on the Bass Management Group have told Defra they want to continue rebuilding the stock instead, not shrink it. Did Defra listen? And will Defra fight for UK fishers in the ongoing Fishing Opportunity negotiations when France asks for a large increase in bass catch limits?
If you want to let the Defra negotiating team and your MP know what you want to happen to the bass stock in 2026, you can do this using our “Get Your Voice Heard” page here:
https://bassanglingconservation.co.uk/get-your-voice-heard