April 2026 Catch Limit Review: Step-by-Step
How to respond to the April 2026 Catch Limit Review
Overview
The Marine Management Organisation published a closed consultation on 17 March 2026 to review April catch limits affecting inshore fisheries, notably Pollack – Area 7 for non-sector under-10m and over-10m vessels. Quota allocations for under-10m pools are expected late March or early April; the review runs through April with options to increase limits and to incentivise low-impact methods such as handline under the Fisheries Act section 25.
Step-by-step actions for skippers and sea anglers
1) Read the MMO consultation and local IFCA notices immediately. 2) When allocations are published, recalculate available quota: current Pollack – Area 7 under-10m monthly limit is 0.75t and proposed bycatch adjustments for Cod 7a move from quarterly to monthly metrics. 3) Revise trip plans—select marks in the English Channel or North Sea where pollack and bass feed on reefs and wrecks at 20–60m; spring sea temps typically 8–12°C. 4) Adapt gear and technique: prioritise handline and single-hook rigs for selective catch. 5) Compliance: log catches, record landings, carry permits and a lifejacket for each person, and brief crew. 6) If short of quota, contact the inshore manager to arrange quota trading or scale down party size and trip duration. 7) Communicate changes to bookings at ports such as Brixham, Newhaven, Portsmouth or Whitstable and prepare contingency plans (alternate species, mark moves, catch-and-release for sport trips).
Contacts and timeline
Monitor the MMO portal and local IFCA updates throughout April 2026. Apply notified changes promptly to operations to reduce disruption to charters and support stock sustainability.
Recommended: buoyant life jacket