Recreational Fishing

The Authority has a marine district of approximately 500 square nautical miles containing unique combinations of marine species and habitats, which in turn support significant commercial and recreational fisheries. The district has over 30 charter boat operators in its ports and harbours and numerous tackle shops along the coast to support the angler and their needs.

The Sussex coast has been an attractive place for sea angling for many years. The climate and excellent fishing grounds draws anglers from all over the country to fish from a boat or from one of the many angling hotspots along the coast. Such places include Kingmere reef which sits inside a Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) and is a popular location to catch Black bream. Offshore the Sussex District contains ‘marks’ that are nationally recognised as offering a unique angling experience. These include, but are not limited to, an area known as ‘Utopia’; famed for tope fishing, and ‘The Overfalls’ (just outside the 6 miles limit); popular for bass angling. Both sites are in the eastern Solent. The Sussex coast has many closed bays and estuaries that are also significant areas for recreational sea anglers to fish from.