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<p>Under recovery measures for the bass stock, there is a general prohibition in EU
legislation on fishing for bass, with a number of specific derogations allowing for
limited bass landings from directed and by-catch fisheries. The current derogation
for fixed gillnetters provides for a 1.2 tonne annual limit per vessel to allow for
unavoidable by-catches of bass. This limit means landings of UK gillnetting bass catches
are over 70% lower than pre-recovery measures levels.</p><p> </p><p>I am aware of
concerns being raised about targeting of bass under that unavoidable by-catch provision
and at this year’s Fisheries Council on 17-18 December, we will be considering new
management measures relating to seabass, including new proposals from the European
Commission in relation to commercial fixed gillnets.</p><p> </p>
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