Kent & Essex Sea Fisheries Committee

Minimum Fish Sizes

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ALL FISH BELOW THESE SIZES MUST BE RETURNED IMMEDIATELY TO THE SEA

Council Regulation (EEC) 850/98, Statutory Instruments           

* Kent and Essex Sea Fisheries Committee Byelaws     

Fin Fish - Minimum Sizes

Species
Centimetres
Measurement
Bass
36
From the tip of the snout to the end of the tail fin
Cod
35
From the tip of the snout to the end of the tail fin
Haddock
30
From the tip of the snout to the end of the tail fin
Herring
20

From the tip of the snout to the end of the tail fin

Horse Mackrel
15

From the tip of the snout to the end of the tail fin

Mackerel (North Sea)
30

From the tip of the snout to the end of the tail fin

Mackerel (Other areas)
20

From the tip of the snout to the end of the tail fin

Plaice
27

From the tip of the snout to the end of the tail fin

Sole
24

From the tip of the snout to the end of the tail fin

Whiting
27

From the tip of the snout to the end of the tail fin

* Grey Mullet
30

From the tip of the snout to the end of the tail fin

* Skates & Rays
40
Across from wing tip to wing tip

* Skates & Rays

19

Detached wings

Shellfish - Minimum Sizes

Species
Centimetres
Measurement
Lobster
8.7
From rear of the eye socket to rear of the body shell
Crab (Cancer pag.)
13
Across the back
Velvet Crab
6.5
Across the back
Spider crab (male)
12
Length of carapace
 Spider crab (female)
13
Length of carapace
* Oysters
7
Ring size
* Cockles
1.6
Riddle size - distance between bars
Whelks
4.5
Shell length
Razor Clam
10
Across longest part of shell
Scallop
10
Across longest part of shell
Scallop (Area VIID)
11
Across longest part of shell
Queen Scallop
4
Across longest part of shell

Minimum sizes for less common species are as follows (cm):- Anchovy 12, Bluefin Tuna 6.4kg, Blue Ling 70, Hake 27, Ling 63, Megrim 20, Octopus 0.75kg, Pollack 30,  Saith 35, Sardine 11, Swordfish 25kg/125cm, Clam 4, Donax Clams 2.5, Hard Clam 5, Short necked Clam 4, Surf Clam 2.5, Carpetshell 4, Grooved Carpetshell 4, Norway Lobster 8.5/2.5/4.6, Crawfish 11

Undersized marine organisms shall not be retained on board or be transhipped, landed, transported, stored, sold, displayed or offered for sale, but shall be returned immediately into the sea.

You can download a copy of the minimum fish sizes sheet from the Downloads page