The Secretary of State has made the Sea Fisheries (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (S.I. 2026/105), which take effect on 27 February 2026. The instrument increases the recreational daily retention limit for European seabass and removes picked dogfish from the list of prohibited species.
The Regulations amend assimilated Council Regulation (EU) 2020/123. Article 10(5)(b) is revised so that the daily retention limit for recreational fisheries moves from two to three fish. Article 16 is amended by deleting point (n) in paragraph 1 and omitting paragraph 3, thereby delisting picked dogfish from the prohibited species schedule.
The instrument extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and applies within British fishery limits. The seabass amendment concerns recreational activity; the Regulations do not alter other seabass provisions set elsewhere in law.
The legal basis cited is section 36 of the Fisheries Act 2020 and section 15 of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023. The Secretary of State records satisfaction that developments in scientific understanding warrant these adjustments, consistent with powers to modify assimilated EU fisheries measures.
Because fisheries are a devolved matter, the Secretary of State obtained consent from the Scottish Ministers, the Welsh Ministers and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland under section 40 of the Fisheries Act 2020. In line with section 41, those administrations and other persons likely to be affected were consulted.
For recreational fishers, the change is straightforward: from 27 February 2026 the permitted daily retention of European seabass increases to three. Angling clubs and charter operators should update booking information and member guidance to reflect the new limit, noting that any other applicable controls remain in force.
For picked dogfish, delisting from Article 16 removes the blanket prohibition on fishing for or retaining the species in British waters. The Explanatory Note indicates that future restrictions for this stock are intended to be managed through vessel licence conditions, allowing responsive adjustments without further statutory amendment.
Licence conditions are enforceable requirements under the UK fisheries licensing regime. Operators should monitor communications from their licensing authority for any conditions relating to picked dogfish targeting, retention, landing or by-catch handling once the Regulations commence.
Process and accountability are clear in the instrument: it was made on 5 February 2026, laid before Parliament on 6 February 2026 and signed by Angela Eagle as Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
No impact assessment has been produced. DEFRA has prepared a de minimis assessment of the effect on business, available from 2 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DF, and the Explanatory Note states no significant impact is foreseen across the public, private or voluntary sectors.