The Marine Management Organisation announced on 2 November 2026 that it will issue 65 unused European bass authorisations to widen access to the fishery. Owners and masters of single-hull vessels under 8 metres will apply in writing; eligible applicants will then be entered into a randomised ballot. The authorisations will allow hook-and-line fishing only and are limited to vessels that do not currently hold a bass authorisation.

The MMO said the move follows the outcomes of the 2025 bass authorisation review and is being delivered under the Bass Fisheries Management Plan. It said the bass fishery has been carefully managed since 2015 through measures such as catch limits, seasonal closures and authorisations to support stock recovery, and that the review identified a need for wider access alongside goals such as reducing discards and supporting coastal communities.

Tim Dixon, the MMO's Head of Fisheries Management, said the announcement was the culmination of work by the MMO, Defra and industry stakeholders. The MMO said the application process will launch shortly, with guidance on eligibility and assessment, and that applications will be anonymised before assessment and the ballot. Applying will not guarantee access to the fishery, but every application will be considered, the MMO said.