Status & fishing opportunities
European sea bass is one of the most important and emblematic species for recreational sea anglers in Europe, delivering high social and economic value to coastal communities. Scientific advice indicates that the stock has improved compared to previous low levels, but remains sensitive to management changes and subject to uncertainty, requiring continued caution to safeguard long-term fishing opportunities.

EAA advocacy
The European Anglers Alliance (EAA) and the European Fishing Tackle Trade Association (EFTTA) support a precautionary, science-based management approach that maintains stock recovery while improving catch rates and angler experience. They advocate for fair and balanced catch allocations, closed seasons applying equally to recreational and commercial fisheries, and strict controls on high-impact fishing métiers that can rapidly undermine stock status.

Key policy focus
EAA and EFTTA promote accurate recreational catch data, long-term allocation frameworks, and adaptive tools such as real-time area closures to reduce bycatch and discards. Their objective is to ensure that sea bass management delivers healthy stocks, stable fishing opportunities, and maximum socio-economic value for coastal communities and recreational anglers.