What changed in 2026
The Pollack Fishing Conservation Bye-Law (No. 1028 of 2026), the 2026 pollack bye-law, gives effect in Irish law to EU Regulation 2026/249. It came into force on 1 June 2026 as a stock-recovery measure while keeping recreational angling open.
How the bye-law came about
The bye-law was signed by Timmy Dooley, Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, and announced by Inland Fisheries Ireland in May 2026 ahead of its 1 June start date. It responds to scientific advice from ICES, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, which found pollack stocks in the Celtic Seas at low levels and advised that catches be restricted to support recovery. The same advice marked a turning point for the stock: after two years of zero-catch advice, ICES set a total limit of 3,310 tonnes for 2026 covering commercial and recreational catches combined, which is why Ireland chose a bag limit rather than a closure. IFI also credited anglers directly, noting the sector's years of voluntary catch and release and its data contributions through the Irish Marine Recreational Fishing Survey (IMREC). The official announcement is on the IFI website, and the bye-law text is published on gov.ie.
The 24-hour limit explained
- Keep up to three pollack per 24 hours
- Any further pollack caught in that period must be returned alive
- Statutory minimum size 30 cm (EU MCRS, SFPA list)
- Applies to recreational anglers fishing from shore and from boat
Catch and release after three
Pollack fight hard and recover well when handled quickly. Use barbless or crushed-barb hooks where you can, keep air time minimal, and release extras carefully once you are at your limit.
Returning larger breeding fish is strongly advised even when you are under the limit.
Wicklow marks where pollack matter most
Pollack are a core rock-mark species from Greystones south through Wicklow Head. The bag limit matters most on prolific pier and headland sessions where multiple fish are common.
For mark-specific tactics and tide notes, see the Wicklow pollack guide linked below.
Plan your next session