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Bass Fishing:  Regulations until further notice –

Between 1st April and 31st January: two bass per angler per day over the Minimum Landing Size (42cm) can be retained. ALL other bass caught must be returned to the sea.  1st February to the 31st March ALL bass caught must be immediately returned to the sea.

Marine Conservation Zones

In January 2016 two new MCZ in our area were announced: Utopia to protect the tope that give birth there, and The Overfalls due to its unique shingle bank environment. At present they have a label on a map somewhere and not much else, we are waiting to see what that actually means in terms of restrictions. No dredging, no commercial fishing and open season for anglers is what we are all hoping for.

Bass Nursery Areas

Langstone, Chichester and Portsmouth Harbours are Bass Nursery Areas with a Closed Season for bass fishing from 30th April to 1st November. For more information on Bass nursery areas and their individual restrictions see The Bass (Specified Areas) (Prohibition of Fishing) Order 1990.  More information is available as a download here.

Minimum Landing Sizes

The Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority  and the Southern IFCA cover our area. Minimum sizes for take-home fish are listed on that site too.

Local VHF Radio Channels
  • Normal safety and calling channel – Channel 16
  • Coastguard – Channel 67
  • Marinas (usually) – Channel 80
  • Port Operations KHM Portsmouth – Channel 11

Important :  Southampton VTS and the liason craft always monitor Channel 12  so when navigating into or out of the Solent and you need to contact a large vessel urgently (for example to avoid a collision), call on Channel 12 , you may have a better chance of reaching them than using the more usual Channel 16.

Safety and Event Notices from KHM Portsmouth

Navigation warnings and shipping movements are both interesting and useful. Worth a browse too. Their web site is here.

Fuel

Southsea Marina, operated by Premier, sells diesel and petrol from the pontoon, at cost price to berth holders and at a reasonable price to visitors. Premier sells diesel fuels containing Soltron™, which is an advanced enzyme fuel technology developed to work in marine fuel oil to neutralise bacterial growth from contaminants such as ‘Diesel Bug’. If you use the diesel sold at Southsea Marina you should not add biocides or non-biocide additives to your fuel to treat it, or to prepare your fuel system for winter lay-up as it can interfere with the functioning of the Soltron™ already in the fuel.

Langstone Harbour Board

From 2nd March 2012 there will be a charge to use slipways as well as harbour dues. There will be a combined (larger) charge for trailer boats compared to the usual harbour dues payable by boats berthed in and around Langstone.

Langstone Harbour Office operates in VHF Ch 12. The two LHB boats are John Easterling and Delilah. Phone 02392 463419. 10 Knot Speed Limit Applies in Langstone Harbour. Langstone Harbour Board has an informative web site . Note fishing restrictions and close seasons, they apply to anglers too.

Boaty Bits and Pieces

There are plenty of chandlers around, but here are some “finds” you may find useful because they supply more specialist products and services.

1 Degree West Marine is based in Southsea Marina (under the Henderson Sails sign) run by Scott Doble. He installs, services and repairs most inboards and outdrives, provides electrical, rigging and boat maintenance services and can supply any chandlery from the trade catalogue at good prices. Highly recommended.  Telephone 02392 838 335 or 07764 346 301

Furneaux Riddall – Marine electrical components – huge range and very reasonably priced. They seem to prefer dealing over the web but do have a shop that is open weekdays only, at Alchorme Place, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO3 5PA (Airport Road area)

Bond Sails and Henderson Covers for boat covers and canopies made to measure are based in Southsea Marina. Check out the pictures of boat covers on his web site. You can phone Anthony at the the sail loft on 07776 233007. He can do anything and very reasonably (when he is not out kite surfing!)