Environment

#TECM2607370AOrder of 23 March 2026 approving Deliberation B17/2026 on the fishing regime for seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) using nets in ICES divisions VIIa, d, e, f, g, h and IVb, c (Northern zone) for the 2026 fishing season

🇫🇷France··Other·Medium Impact·View source ↗

AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.

🇬🇧 English

This French regulation establishes a licensing system for professional net fishing of seabass in the Northern zone (ICES divisions VIIa,d,e,f,g,h and IVb,c). It sets a fixed ceiling of 297 vessels based on historical participation from July 2015 to September 2016. The licence is valid from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 and is non-transferable. Eligibility requires an active EU vessel registration, a valid EU fishing licence, up-to-date payments and declarations, and specific EU Authorisations for demersal nets in the English Channel. A detailed priority system ranks renewal applications first, followed by vessel changes, reservations, and new applicants, using a points-based tie-breaker that rewards recent net-fishing activity, new entrants, and vessel registration in the North zone.

AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.

Key Changes

  • Establishes a maximum of 297 vessels allowed to fish seabass with nets in the Northern zone
  • Licence validity period set from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 and is non-transferable
  • Eligibility requires active EU vessel file entry, EU fishing licence, paid contributions, up-to-date catch declarations, and specific EU Authorisations for demersal nets

+ 3 more changes with Pro

Obligations

What this law requires

high

Obtain and maintain a 'Licence Bar filet de la zone Nord' to conduct professional net fishing of seabass in ICES divisions VIIa, d, e, f, g, h and IVb, c from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027

Professional seabass net fishers operating in the Northern zone
licensing
high

Ensure vessel is registered as active in the EU fleet register at the time of license application

Vessel operators applying for or holding seabass net fishing licenses
operational
high

Maintain a valid EU fishing license for the vessel throughout the license validity period

Seabass net fishing license holders
licensing
high

Maintain current payment status of mandatory professional membership contributions

All applicants and holders of seabass net fishing licenses
reporting
high

Keep catch declarations up-to-date and current

Seabass net fishing license holders
reporting

Affected Parties

Professional seabass net fishermenVessel owners and operators in Northern France and English Channel+3 more…

Tags

seabass fishing,net fishing,fishing licence