Following the LRSAC AGM on Tuesday 5th January it was unanimously agreed that the following statement be put on the LRSAC website.

In the light of various comments that have started to appear on social media websites regarding the proposed changes that were announced in respect of recreational fishing for Bass in 2016 the committee of the Lyme Regis Sea Angling Club felt there was a need to reaffirm the current position as they see it.

First the MMO report that was issued in late 2015 that proposed a restriction of catch and release on recreational fishing in the first six months of 2016 with a restricted catch of ONE fish from the 1st July for the second half of the year is still in place. Whilst there are some negotiations still going on regarding other aspects of the MMO proposals (regarding other types of commercial fishing) it is not thought at this time that there will be any changes to the proposed recreational restrictions.

For the first six months of 2016 the club have therefore decided the following:

No Bass will be registered in any competition, best catch, species record, any photograph recorded or shown on the club website. There will be no mention of any Bass being caught during this six month period on the club website. If the current proposals for recreational fishing are still in place these website restrictions will be relaxed on the 1st July 2016  i. e . onset of one fish catch rule for second half of 2016.

All Bass, dead, injured or alive to be returned to the water as soon as the hook has been removed.

NO BASS TO BE TAKEN HOME.

If there are subsequent changes from the authorities concerning the proposed changes then the club we will review their position accordingly.

Please be aware that there are significant penalties for anybody recreationally fishing taking Bass home during the first six months of this year.