European ministers met on the 9th and 10th of December to decide on the fishing possibilities for each Member State in 2025. Shortly before 2025, the regulations were finally published in the official journal. Here is what it entails.
TACS and Quotas 2025
For recreational fishing
There will be no major changes for the year 2025 at the moment, except for the no-kill fishing of cod in CIEM zones 7 and 8, which is now prohibited in the Atlantic and the English Channel from January 1st to April 30th.
As a reminder:
Regarding cod, a maximum of two cod specimens (Pollachius pollachius) per fisherman per day can be caught and kept from May 1st to December 31st in zones CIEM 7 and 8. The minimum catch size is 42 cm. For bass, in CIEM zone 7 (north of Audierne)
- from February 1st to March 31st, 2025
- only the catch of European bass by rod and line followed by release is allowed
- it is prohibited to hold, transfer, transship, or land European bass caught in this zone
- in January and from April 1st to December 31st, 2025
- only two European bass specimens per fisherman per day can be caught and kept
- the minimum size for retaining European bass is 42 cm
fixed nets are not used to catch or hold European bass. In CIEM divisions 8a and 8b (south of Audierne):
- a maximum of one European bass specimen per fisherman per day can be caught and kept
- fixed nets are not used to catch or hold European bass
On the professional side
The professional fishing sector expressed relief following the publication of the TACs and quotas. Concerns were particularly focused on the WestMed plan. It involved the "withdrawal of 14 vessels from the 57 comprising the fleet in the continental Mediterranean, [as well as] the establishment of no-fishing zones and a limitation on fishing days." The signals sent by the EU were deemed alarming by Minister Loher. Ultimately, this plan does not seem to have been followed, although constraints have been added for Mediterranean fishermen. In the Atlantic, mackerel and sole are facing a decrease in quotas, of -33% and -3% respectively, which was poorly received by the fishermen of Boulogne-sur-Mer. On the other hand, quotas for bass will be increased by 5 to 10%. Note a 25% decrease in the langoustine quota in the Bay of Biscay.
ICES unveils its strategy for recreational fishing
ICES, the European scientific body that provides advice for extraction permits and is therefore a key structure in the European decision-making process, released a press release on December 6th full of information and implications suggesting major changes ahead for European recreational fishing. Furthermore, this is the first time that ICES has been so explicit about its vision for recreational fishing. Here are the main points. "Far from being a niche activity, sea recreational fishing (MRF) has a significant impact on economies, communities, coastal environments, society, and fish stocks, while creating significant health and well-being benefits for participants. In the world of fisheries management, however, decisions regarding stock assessments, conservation measures, and sustainability have largely focused on commercial fishing fleet activities. In the meantime, recreational fishing has remained in the shadows. Kieran Hyder, Cefas, and Estanis Mugerza, Azti, co-chairs of the ICES Working Group on Recreational Fishing Science (WGRFS), led the work on the ICES roadmap for sea recreational fishing. Mr. Hyder highlights several reasons explaining the lack of recreational fishing inclusion in current assessments and consultative processes. 'Recreational fisheries are diverse and dispersed, with many gears used and a lack of participant lists, making them difficult to monitor. This results in a lack of data that is needed both to dispel the widespread misconception that angling has no impact and to include it in stock assessments.'"
Is recreational fishing too complex to be included?
"The impact of recreational fishing is increasingly recognized in management. This call to action comes from both inside and outside the scientific community. Worldwide, with Australia, New Zealand, and the United States leading the way, and now in Europe, the message is clear: if recreational fishing catches continue to be excluded, we risk not achieving conservation goals and benefits for society. Some are hesitant to include MRF [recreational fishing data], as it is not always considered scientifically rigorous or collected systematically. In addition, logistical barriers such as data acquisition delays and involvement of different institutions in different countries pose a real obstacle. Another debate revolves around the distribution of catches between the commercial and recreational sectors. These discussions touch on sensitive subjects such as social and economic benefits, which must be balanced with biological sustainability. The lack of implementation in many regions complicates efforts to ensure compliance with management measures. Many stakeholders wonder if it is worth including something as complex in the existing system."
Improved data on recreational fishing
"At this crossroads, the Daisy model provides guidance. As part of the roadmap, this model offers a detailed plan to overcome the challenges facing recreational fishing and provides a clear path for the future, which will require collaboration, innovation, and adaptability. Mugerza states: 'Since recreational fishing data collection became mandatory under the DCF, the amount and quality of collected data have significantly improved.'" "'MRF data should only be included in stock assessments where recreational fishing has an impact,'" adds Hyder. "The first step is to prioritize species on which recreational fishing is likely to have an impact. Once this step can be included in the list of issues to be addressed during assessments and in the performance evaluation process. To do this, establishing a climate of trust between the recreational fishing community and ICES will be crucial. Furthermore, developing new methodologies for stock assessments that include MRF data will be crucial, especially for data-limited stocks. As the guardian of MRF methods within ICES, the WGRFS will ensure that new approaches are reviewed and, where appropriate, used."
Enthusiastic scientists
"It is great to see ICES recognize the importance of sea recreational fishing and the need to integrate it into its advice," said Mr. Hyder. "The roadmap highlights the practical steps and new scientific data needed to achieve this. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I am looking forward to working with ICES and the recreational fishing communities to make this roadmap a reality." ICES' vision is one of inclusive and sustainable fishery management, where MRF is fully integrated.
The Daisy model
Daisy is a mechanistic simulation model of physical and biological processes in an agricultural field. It traces the fate of water, energy, carbon, nitrogen, and pesticides, both on the surface and in depth. The model can predict production, environmental impact in the form of leaching, and soil quality evolution (carbon) over time. Another common use is as an upper limit for a groundwater model. Daisy is powered by text files containing daily or hourly meteorological data (at least precipitation, global radiation, and temperature, but various data can be used if available), management information (sowing/harvesting, tillage operations, as well as irrigation data and quantities, fertilizer and pesticide applications), and finally soil quality (texture, humus content). The timescale ranges from hourly flows to changes in soil carbon reservoirs over several centuries. In the case of fishing, the idea would be to transpose this methodology to recreational practice.
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