Catch sizes and closed seasons

If necessary to secure sustainable return on fish resources or natural life cycle of fish or to protect degraded fish stocks, a minimum and maximum catch size may be laid down for fish species or stocks.

It is prohibited to take a fish that is smaller than the minimum size and bigger than the maximum size. A fish that does not meet the limits for the catch size must be immediately released back to water.

Provisions on the catch sizes are laid down by Government decree. The length of a fish is measured from the tip of the jaw to the tip of the straightened tail fin pressed together.

The Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment have the right apply no more than 20% bigger or smaller catch sizes for specific regions than those laid down in the decree.

During a closed season the catching of a certain fish or crayfish species is prohibited. No fishing gear intended or particularly suited for catching the species concerned may be kept in the water. A protected fish (or crayfish) caught in a trap during the closed season must be immediately released back to water.