🌊 Kent & Essex IFCA Sea Fishing Regulations (2025)
The Kent & Essex IFCA region stretches from the River Thames estuary, around the North Kent coast, and down past Folkestone. It includes popular fishing spots such as Deal Pier, Whitstable, and Southend-on-Sea. Expect bass inshore, cod in winter, and mackerel in summer.
Below are the minimum landing sizes, bag limits, and protected species for this area, based on national standards and regional considerations.
✅ Key Fishing Rules for Kent & Essex IFCA
| Species | Min Size | Bag Limit | Season | 🎣 Lure Caught? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bass | 42cm | 2/day (outside Feb–Mar) | Catch & release Feb–Mar | ✅ |
| Cod | 35cm | None | Open | ✅ |
| Haddock | 30cm | None | Open | ❌ |
| Hake | 27cm | None | Open | ❌ |
| Herring | 20cm | None | Open | ❌ |
| Horse Mackerel | 15cm | None | Open | ✅ |
| Ling | 63cm | None | Open | ✅ |
| Mackerel | 20cm | None | Open | ✅ |
| Plaice | 27cm | None | Open | ❌ |
| Pollack | 30cm | None | Open | ✅ |
| Saithe | 35cm | None | Open | ✅ |
| Sardine | 11cm | None | Open | ❌ |
| Sole | 24cm | None | Open | ❌ |
| Whiting | 27cm | None | Open | ✅ |
🐟 Protected Species
- Tope (must be returned; no parts can be kept)
- Angel Shark (protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act)
- White Skate (protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act)
- Allis Shad (protected)
- Twaite Shad (protected)
- Giant Goby (protected)
- Couch’s Goby (protected)
- Bluefin Tuna (strictly protected; catch & release only under licensed programs)
📌 Local Restrictions
The Medway Estuary has specific nursery area protections where certain fishing activities are restricted.
Check Kent & Essex IFCA’s site for seasonal and area-specific byelaws.
🔗 Official Source: Kent & Essex IFCA Website
⚠️ Disclaimer
Regulations are correct to the best of our knowledge. They may change, so always check the official IFCA website before fishing.
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