Angling impact reduced in new report

A scientific study of bass mortality could lead to anglers being allowed to keep bass for personal consumption during the second half of 2018. That’s the view of the European Angling Alliance, following the release of a new study published by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES).

In January, ICES published the study on the post-release mortality of bass. The study, based on ‘experimental’ angling, estimated the mean mortality as five per cent. The decision to ban members of the public from keeping any bass in 2018 was based on a mean post-release mortality of 15 per cent.

This new report is expected to dramatically reduce the impact of recreational angling on bass, and the EAA hopes it will lead to the public being allowed to keep bass for personal consumption during the second half of 2018.

The study concludes that most caught and released bass will survive. It suggests fighting time and air exposure should be minimized, and that excessive catch and release during reproduction periods and extreme water temperatures should be avoided.

■