What is a minimum size, and why does it matter?

The minimum size is the smallest length a species has to reach before it may be kept. The purpose is simple: to make sure the fish has spawned at least once. An individual caught below the limit is returned to the sea.

Limits for some species

Legal basis: Communiqué No. 6/2, Article 15 – Table 7.

How is it measured?

The measurement runs from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail (total length). For some species — such as bluefin tuna and swordfish — fork length is used instead: from the tip of the snout to the middle of the fork of the tail. Which measurement applies to which species is written in the communiqué.

The quantity limit is a separate rule

Being over the size limit does not mean you may take as many as you like. Some species carry a daily numerical limit — 1 fish for turbot, for instance. For others a weight limit applies instead of a number.

Completely prohibited species

For some species fishing is completely prohibited regardless of size. Among them are marine mammals, sea turtles, several shark and ray species, and protected corals. These species are marked separately in our catalog and no bait information is shown for them at all.

Legal basis: Communiqué 6/2, Article 6 — “Fishing for species that are completely prohibited is banned both in the seas and in inland waters.”

Extra rules in inland waters

Lakes, reservoirs and rivers carry different provisions from the sea. Using live fish as bait is prohibited, for example; live bait fish may not be held in a livewell or bait bucket, and the quantity of bait fish may not exceed 30 per person.

This page does not summarize the communiqué, it relays it. The text in force is what counts and it changes from period to period; consult the current communiqué before you fish.