AN ANGLER who believes he caught a record sea bass had to throw it back because of an EU law.
Oban Jones, 19, is adamant his catch topped 20lb — beating the British best of 19lb 9oz which has stood for 32 years.
But he returned the 3½ft fish as recreational anglers are not allowed to keep even a single bass during their breeding season between November 1 and December 31.
Yet, the EU rule does not cover super-trawlers that accidentally scoop up hundreds of bass while dragging huge nets for mackerel and pollock in the English Channel.
Oban, a marine science technician at the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, hooked his bass while fishing for whiting for his supper.
He said: “It fought for about 20 minutes before I finally got it to the surface and my brother had the landing net ready.
“It was easily the biggest bass I had ever seen.
“Catching it was a dream come true. I had no way of measuring it but I go to the gym a lot and I know what it is like to lift ten kilos and this was definitely heavier.
“I believe that fishing for your food is the most environmentally friendly way of fishing. It is sustainable and minimises waste. The rule seems unfair.”
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