#TECM2607372AOrder of 23 March 2026 approving Deliberation B16/2026 on the Hook-and-Line Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) Fishing Regime in ICES Divisions VIIa,d,e,f,g,h and IVb,c (Northern Zone) for the 2026 Fishing Season
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This French regulation approves rules for commercial hook-and-line fishing of sea bass in the Northern zone (ICES divisions VIIa,d–h and IVb,c). It establishes a fixed fleet ceiling of 214 vessels based on historical participation from July 2015 to September 2016. Only vessels holding a non-transferable "Licence Bar hameçon de la zone Nord" may fish, with a maximum of 3,000 hooks per vessel at any time. The licence is valid from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 and is allocated according to strict priority categories, primarily favouring previous licence holders, followed by vessel replacements, reservations, and new applicants scored by a points system. Applicants must meet eligibility criteria including an active EU fishing licence, up-to-date catch declarations, and payment of professional contributions. Nine allocation sessions are scheduled between March 2026 and January 2027.
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Key Changes
- Establishes a hard cap of 214 vessels for hook-and-line sea bass fishing in the Northern zone based on 1 July 2015–30 September 2016 activity
- Introduces non-transferable 'Licence Bar hameçon de la zone Nord' valid exactly from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027
- Sets maximum technical limit of 3,000 hooks in the water per vessel at any time
+ 3 more changes with Pro
Obligations
What this law requires
Obtain and maintain a non-transferable 'Licence Bar hameçon de la zone Nord' to conduct commercial hook-and-line sea bass fishing in ICES divisions VIIa,d,e,f,g,h and IVb,c
Ensure vessel has an active EU fishing licence (licence de pêche européenne) at time of licence application
Maintain payment of mandatory professional contributions (cotisation professionnelle obligatoire) to remain eligible for licence
Maintain up-to-date catch declarations (déclarations de capture) to remain eligible for licence
Limit total maximum number of hooks in water to 3,000 per vessel at any time