Minimum sizes for coast and sea

Overview of minimum sizes and possession rules for fish in coastal waters and the sea. Check which species you must release.

Minimum sizes for coast and sea

Minimum sizes for sea fishing in coastal and marine waters

The rules below apply to fish in coastal waters and the sea. Take into account release and possession rules before you go fishing.

Minimum sizes (national regulation)

  • Eel (European eel): 28 cm
  • Dab: 20 cm

Note: every eel you catch with a rod or gig in coastal waters or at sea must be returned to the water alive immediately. You may not have eel in your possession while fishing with a rod or gig in coastal waters or at sea (Art. 23a Implementation Regulation Fisheries). A violation is considered an economic offence. The minimum size mainly applies to professional fishers using fishing gear.

Minimum sizes (European rules)

These minimum sizes follow mandatory European rules for all EU residents. The Netherlands implements these rules into national law. Article 6 of the Technical Measures Regulation 2000 prohibits having undersized marine organisms as described in EC Regulation 850/98.

The Technical Measures Regulation 2000 is based on Article 3 of the Sea and Coastal Fisheries Regulations 1977. That regulation is based on parts of the Fisheries Act 1963. See Fisheries Act 1963.

Economic offence

The Economic Offences Act states that violation of provisions in Articles 3a and 4 of the Fisheries Act 1963 is an economic offence. Possession of undersized fish as listed above is considered an economic offence. Offence code: H666.

Bag limits for sea bass and cod

  • For the latest rules about the bag limit for sea bass, see: Read the latest rules regarding the bag limit for sea bass.
  • For cod you may have a maximum of 25 fish or a maximum of 20 kg in possession. You may not fillet cod or remove the head. That makes it impossible to determine the length.

These prohibitions also apply to inland waters that are directly connected to the sea. The boundaries extend up to a maximum of 30 kilometres inland.

Article 120, paragraph 1 of the Implementation Regulation for Sea Fisheries prohibits possession of sea bass at sea. This also applies to the sea areas near IJmuiden and Scheveningen. For inland waters the possession ban is laid down in Article 120, paragraphs 1 and 5 of the same regulation, in combination with Article 10, paragraph 4 of the catch possibilities regulation.

If you have more sea bass in your possession than allowed and some fish are smaller than 42 cm, you commit an additional offence. Possession of undersized sea bass is covered by Article 2a of the Fisheries Act 1963, in combination with Article 120, paragraph 6 of the Implementation Regulation for Sea Fisheries. Offence code: H666.

Always check the minimum sizes and possession rules before you fish in coastal waters or at sea.