Wales Sea Bass Advisory Group meeting: 14 October 2025
Notes of the meeting held on 14 October 2025.
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Attendees
Group
Colin Charman (CC)
Jim Evans (JE)
Hannah Rudd (HR)
John O’Connor (JO)
Sion Williams (SW)
Peter Elliott (PE)
James Lamb (JL)
Daisuke Goto (DG)
Ian McCarthy (IM)
David Curtis (DC)
Simon Frobisher (SF)
Grant Jones (GJ)
Kieran Hyder (KH)
Natalie Hold (NH)
Welsh Government
Seb Evans (SE)
Matthew Sayer (MS)
Barrie John (BJ)
Michelle Fraser (MF)
Priddy Hattle (PH)
Bethan Jones (BJ)
Matthew Dawkins (MD)
Apologies
Michelle Billing (MB)
Holly Kaiser (HK) (James Lamb deputising)
Richard Strudwick (RS)
Julian Bray (JB)
Notes
Welcome and introductions, purpose of meeting
Bethan Jones welcomed everyone to the 10th meeting of the group and introduced herself as chair in Julian’s absence. She relayed apologies from Julian Bray (JB), Holly Kaiser (James Lamb deputising), Michelle Billing (MB), and Richard Strudwick (RS),
She welcomed Grant Jones to the group who will now represent the Bass Anglers Sportfishing Society, Michelle Fraser who has recently joined the Welsh Governments fisheries policy team and Daisuke Goto from Bangor University.
Identifying evidence gaps to support the future review of alternative management objectives
The presentation summarised the report produced by Bangor University:
- Literature review of 4 general types of fisheries management to identify potential alternative management objectives.
- Case studies – groundfish fisheries in the Pacific Region, Canada and Gulf of Alaska, USA; and deepwater and middle-depth fisheries in New Zealand.
- Data requirements to adopt potential alternative management objectives in UK bass fisheries, including the current evidence gaps and recommendations for data collection to fill these gaps.
A short, constructive question and answer session followed, in which the group were generally supportive of the paper.
SE confirmed that a feasibility study is underway to determine the resources needed to address the identified evidence gaps. He noted that current resources are limited.
Review and sign-off notes and actions of previous meetings
SE ran through the notes and actions from the previous meeting. There were no additional comments, and it was agreed the notes could be published.
SE confirmed Cefas have been contracted to carry out the power calculation.
Action: Publish notes and actions from meetings 7, 8 & 9.
Shore-based netting update
The summary of responses to the call for evidence was published on September 15, with SE thanking contributors; no questions were raised.
An update on the voluntary catch recording system highlighted delays due to legal and GDPR issues. SE agreed to keep the group informed on progress.
SE confirmed that the scientific bycatch study had gone to tender on the DPS framework earlier that day.
EU negotiations 2026
SE introduced Matt Sayer from the Welsh Government science team.
MS outlined the 2026 ICES advice and the negotiation process, which led to a discussion on how the uplift should be applied. A member argued the published increases of 98% and 158% overstated the stock growth, as they were based on underestimated 2024 advice. MS and KH clarified that ICES will not revise past advice, so the 2025 figures remain valid.
Questions were raised about recreational catch data. MS noted that while not published, approximate headroom could be inferred from table 7 of the presentation.
Commercial fishers urged caution, citing poor bass prices and shared concerns among peers. Some members suggested exploring alternatives to the ICES MSY approach. MS explained any change to the management approach would require agreement across the UK and EU. MS warned that unused allowances could be taken by other nations.
In closing, MS emphasised the need for a precautionary approach to protect stock levels from sudden increases in uptake.
Upcoming work
SE confirmed he is drafting a review of the bass authorisation system (FMP Goal 2). This will include the review of inshore netting.
Members were asked to consider issues with and potential solutions for the existing system.
Socio Economic (SE) Study
BJ confirmed that following concerns raised by some members of the group, Seafish are not carrying out the recreational element of the SE study.
Work on the commercial element is underway, including port visits and focus groups. Progress to date has been positive.
A member asked to see the specification for the recreational SE study. BJ explained the specification could not be shared due to procurement sensitivities but assured members all steps were being taken to appoint the most suitable supplier.
Any other business, date of next meeting
HR announced the appointment of a Marine Policy Officer in Wales starting mid‑November.
DC asked about the omission of the recreational sector from the strategic statement. JO said it was not raised at MAGWF but will be added to the next agenda.
JE expressed concern that the WFA’s comments on the MMO’s updated bass guidance were excluded without feedback.
SE confirmed the guidance will be adopted in Wales for consistency and will follow up with Defra/MMO for feedback on the WFA’s comments.
BJ thanked members for their input.
Date of next meeting to be confirmed.
Actions
Outstanding actions from previous meetings
Meeting 7: 5 December 2024
- Obtain advice on how recreational bag limits might be varied. MB: ongoing.
- Speak to enforcement about the monitoring of recreational bass boats in South Wales. MB: ongoing.
- Share outline of approach to socio-economic survey with the group before contract is let. MB: completed 6 June 2025.
Meeting 8: 4 February 2025
- Prepare a statement on the role of recreational angling and importance of recreational data in delivery of the bass FMP. SE/HR: ongoing.
- Explore potential use of ambassadors to promote the sea angling diaries. MB: ongoing.
Meeting 9: 11 March 2025
- Meet with KH to explore possibilities for anglers' participation in managing the Sea Angling Diary. MB/SE: ongoing.
New actions from this meeting
- Translate and publish notes & actions from meetings 7,8 & 9. MF: completed 11 November 2025.