Sea Angling

Beautiful sunset in Northumberland with pink sky reflected on water and fishing rod set up on rocky shore.

Recreational sea angling is a cornerstone of coastal life across the region, and NIFCA is committed to making sure that the voices of the angling community are a vital part of our inshore fisheries management.

Working together

NIFCA and the sea angling community

We view recreational anglers not just as stakeholders, but as essential partners in marine stewardship. Since the launch of our Recreational Sea Angling (RSA) Strategy in 2021, we have worked to build strong, collaborative relationships with individual anglers, local clubs, and national bodies like the Angling Trust.

Our officers are a regular fixture within the community; you will often find us attending local events, such as the Open Amble Sea Angling, to speak with participants and discuss local conservation. This partnership is at the heart of our evidence-based decision-making, ensuring that the socio-economic value of angling is recognised and protected.

Our collaboration comes to life through industry-leading citizen science projects such as the NIFCA Species Challenge and the Bass Scale Project, which help us map local fish and seasonal patterns across the district.

NIFCA Chief Officer and sea angler pictured on rocky shore.

What rules apply to sea anglers?

To ensure the long-term sustainability of our shared waters, several regulations and byelaws apply to recreational angling within the NIFCA district.

All anglers must adhere to minimum size limits. Any fish caught below these sizes must be returned immediately to the sea.

These measures help protect breeding stocks, safeguard sensitive habitats, and support long-term sustainability.

Catch limits and conservation

Responsible sea angling keeps fish stocks healthy for future generations. NIFCA promotes the following conservation measures:

  • For certain high-pressure species, such as sea bass, national rules limit the number of fish an individual can retain per day.
  • Be aware of specific times of year when retaining certain species (like bass) may be prohibited to allow for spawning.
  • Dispose of litter and fishing tackle responsibly. NIFCA supports the Anglers National Line Recycling Scheme and has a recycled fishing line bin located at our Blyth office.

Learn more about our conservation work around the North Tyneside and Northumberland coastline.

Resources for sea anglers

NIFCA works closely with the sea angling community to improve understanding of local fisheries and support sustainable recreational fishing. Here is a collection of resources to help you better your craft, but to also understand how your efforts can benefit NIFCA’s conservation and research initiatives.

Man holding freshly caught European Sea Bass.

Bass Regulations 2026

  • 1st – 31st January: 2 x bass (42cm or over) per fisher per day
  • 1st February – 31st March: Catch and release only
  • 1st April – 31st December: 3 x bass (42cm or over) per fisher per day
  • No fixed or drift nets for recreational fishing

These rules apply if you are fishing from a boat or from the shore.

If you would like a recreational bass regulations poster, please call the office on 01670 797676. For more information, please visit the link below.

UK government guidance

European bass pictured swimming underwater.

Bass Scale Project

This project aims to build a baseline understanding of the seabass population within the NIFCA district. By working with local anglers, NIFCA hopes to gain a better understanding of the species’ northward movement and how local bass populations relate to those studied elsewhere in the UK.

Bass Scale Project

Person using NIFCA fish handling guide to measure flatfish.

The ultimate guide to sea fish handling in UK waters

Produced by Your Angling Voice, this guide not only details general handling best practices but also includes guidance on unhooking, release, and dispatching, and contains links to other organisations for details on specific species.

Visit the Your Angling Voice website

Angler catching a fish silhouetted on an evening with pier and lighthouse in the background.

NIFCA Species Challenge

Through the 2023 and 2024 Species Challenge Competitions, NIFCA received 1,127 submissions of individual fish from anglers across the district. From these submissions, 38 different species were identified – a fantastic effort which allows us to understand more about the fish being caught locally.

Latest updates

Sea angling news & projects

Stay up to date with the latest sea angling news, research projects, and community initiatives taking place across the NIFCA district.