19 March 2015
Many Islanders are expected to take advantage of big tides to go low water fishing this weekend, but the Department of the Environment is reminding people to stick to the law.
Jersey will experience some of the biggest tides of the year this weekend. On Saturday and Sunday the range between high and low tide will be 12 metres.
The big tides will provide good conditions for low water fishing so Marine Resources officers are reminding people they must know and keep to the laws protecting Jersey’s marine life.
Minimum sizes for catches
It’s against the law to take fish and shellfish, including ormers and lobsters, below a certain size.
People lifting rocks should replace them as research shows that failing to return stones to their original position can be damaging to the marine ecosystem, and it takes some time to recover.
Officers checking
Officers, who’ll be out on patrol during the weekend, are also asking fishermen to ensure they have an accurate way to measure any fish and shellfish they keep so they comply with the regulations.
People should check the tide tables so they leave enough time to safely return to following fishing.
Information on the regulations
You cannot land, sell, expose or offer for sale, or have in your possession, any fish or shellfish that are under the minimum sizes.
If you take any fish or shellfish on board that are under these minimum sizes, then you must return them to the sea immediately.
Licensed commercial fishermen should check their licence conditions as they may contain further restrictions relating to the sizes of fish that may be retained or landed.
Download low water fishing leaflet (506KB)
gov.je