Seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) in Divisions 4.b–c, 7.a, and 7.d–h (central and southern North Sea, Irish Sea, English Channel, Bristol Channel, and Celtic Sea)

ICES advises that when the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) approach is applied, total removals in 2026 should be no more than 5 180 tonnes. This applies to the sum of the commercial and recreational catches (accounting for survival of released fish).

ICES notes the existence of a precautionary management plan, developed and adopted by one of the relevant management authorities for this stock.

A proportion of the catch of the neighbouring Bay of Biscay sea bass stock is caught in divisions 4.b–c and 7.a.d–h. This should be taken into account when defining management actions to avoid exceeding the advice for either of the stocks.