🌊 Sussex IFCA Sea Fishing Regulations (2025)
The Sussex IFCA region covers the coastline from Selsey Bill to Rye, including Brighton, Eastbourne, and Hastings. This stretch is known for excellent bass fishing, mackerel shoals, and pollack over wrecks.
Here are the minimum landing sizes, bag limits, and species protections based on the national standards and local Sussex byelaws. Always confirm with the official IFCA site.
✅ Key Fishing Rules for Sussex 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
- Currently no unique byelaws affecting recreational anglers beyond the national rules.
🔗 Official Source: Sussex IFCA Website
⚠️ Disclaimer
Regulations are correct to the best of our knowledge. They may change, so always check the official IFCA website before fishing.