Applications open for bass authorisations
The UK Marine Management Organisation opens applications for 65 unused bass fishing authorisations for small vessels, with a six-week window closing on 21 December 2026.
The Marine Management Organisation has opened applications for 65 bass fishing authorisations available to English licensed single-hulled vessels under 8 metres. These unused authorisations will be allocated through a written application followed by a blind selection process for eligible applicants. Successful vessels will be permitted to fish using hook and line only, with priority given to those without existing bass authorisations. The opportunity targets vessels that previously held no bass fishing rights.
Applications must be submitted by midnight on Monday 21 December 2026, providing a six-week window for fishermen to apply. The MMO will host engagement events around the coast to assist applicants with the process, with details published on the Fisheries Management Plan blog. Guidance on eligibility, conditions, and application routes is available on the MMO’s Fisheries Management Plan Updates page.
The allocation follows the 2025 bass authorisation review and aligns with the bass fisheries management plan, which aims to balance stock recovery with wider access. Measures introduced since 2015, including catch limits and seasonal closures, have supported sustainability but prompted a review to expand opportunities. The unused authorisations were identified as a means to reduce pressure on bass stocks while supporting coastal communities.
The MMO emphasises transparency in the selection process, noting that applying does not guarantee access to the fishery. All applications will be considered, and the organisation is committed to assisting fishermen through engagement events. The bass fishery has been subject to strict management since 2015 to aid stock recovery, with authorisations forming part of these efforts.