How to read the April 2026 MMO catch limits
How to read the April 2026 MMO catch limit review for anglers
The Marine Management Organisation updated catch limits effective 1 April 2026. Coastal and inshore skippers, charter operators and shore anglers should note reduced cod allowances in Area 7a, a herring uplift in Area 4c7d, and an ongoing review of Pollack quotas that may benefit handline fishermen.
Key changes and what they mean
Under-10 metre vessels see herring in Area 4c7d increased, easing small-boat mackerel and herring trips. Cod in Area 7a has moved to much tighter bycatch thresholds (from multi-tonne quarterly rules to a few hundred kilograms monthly), and over-10m non-sector craft face even smaller monthly cod bycatch limits.
Practical swaps: shore, boat and charter
Shore anglers and charters operating around the English Channel and southern North Sea (water temperatures in April typically 7–11°C) should avoid directed cod efforts in Area 7a. Swap to sea bass on wrecks and reefs, target mackerel and herring on light feathers and floats, or try pollack on light lures where local limits permit. Boat anglers can lean on selective rigs—single hooks, light trace—and use a fishfinder to locate bait schools without sweeping nets.
Sustainability and local tactics
The MMO signals support for low-impact gears; handline targeting of pollack is favoured. Charter operators should plan trips around species with available quota, brief clients on legal limits, and contact inshore quota managers for clarifications. For questions, anglers can email inshorequotamanager@marinemanagement.org.uk or ring the MMO inshore quota team.
Recommended: portable fishfinder