April 2026 catch-limit review: Pollack Area 7 impact
MMO April 2026 catch-limit review: Pollack (Area 7) and immediate impacts
Overview
The Marine Management Organisation opened consultation on 17 March 2026 to review Pollack in Area 7 (Irish Sea/English Channel). No immediate reduction was proposed for pollack, but an increase for April is being considered alongside adjustments to cod bycatch limits that come into force on 1 April for England. The measures emphasise low-impact gear such as the handline, consistent with Section 25 of the Fisheries Act.
Proposed technical changes
Key proposed bycatch changes affect Cod 7a: under-10m non-sector vessels would move from 2 tonnes quarterly to 0.3 tonnes monthly; over-10m non-sector from 0.3t quarterly to 0.1t monthly. Previous Pollack allocations (June 2025) showed 37.9t for the 10m/under pool and 7.0t non-sector; as of March 2026 under-10m monthly pollack stood at 0.75t.
Practical effects for skippers and charter operators
Inshore skippers from ports such as Newlyn, Plymouth, Fishguard or Portland should expect tighter bycatch margins when fishing for pollack at typical depths of 20–60m in April sea temperatures of roughly 8–12°C. Operators are advised to monitor late-March quota pool allocations, trade quota early if required, keep accurate logbooks and prioritise handline trips to minimise bycatch. Charter operators must brief clients on potential early returns if cod bycatch thresholds are hit and consider alternating marks—reefs off the Lizard or headlands in Cornwall—to reduce cod encounters.
Advice for shore anglers and inshore managers
Shore anglers fishing breakwaters and rocky marks in Dorset and Wales will see limited direct regulatory change, but may notice altered availability if commercial trips adjust effort. Practical measures include using light leader setups, a boat echo sounder for marking pollack schools, and recording unusual catches. For quota concerns contact Katie James (07747638655), Jacob Bestwick (07469443840) or inshorequotamanager@marinemanagement.org.uk.
Recommended: boat fishfinder unit