Fishing

Two types of fishing take place within Portland Harbour, recreational and commercial.

Certain types of fishing require a Fishing Permit. Using a rod and line does not require a permit although your vessel does require to be covered by Port and Harbour Dues. In brief you will require a Fishing permit to fish with pots and nets within 150m of the breakwaters and also for the use of surface nets.

Fishing is prohibited within the Noise and Magnetic Ranges at all times, and surrounding ranging areas when the ranges are in use (see Map in downlad section) and Admiralty Chart 2268

Click here for Range dates.

See Downloads for Fishing Application Form and Restrictions Map

All markers used to indicate the position of fishing equipment shall be clearly marked with either the owner’s name or boat registration number.                               


Click here to buy a fishing permit online

PLEASE NOTE: A fishing permit is not required for rod and line fishing.


NEW FISHING REGULATION FOR HAMM BEACH

COMING INTO FORCE ON 1ST JANUARY 2024

A new Harbourmaster’s Direction for fishing Hamm beach in Portland harbour is coming into force on January 1, 2024.

Under the new regulations, a new group will be formed called the Hamm Beach Fishing Group (HFBC). To fish Hamm Beach, fishers will need to be a member of this group.

The principal idea is that members will self-police their activities and will also, along with the Portland Harbour Authority, have some say over the membership of this group, therefore maintaining high standards of equipment and practice.

This regulation follows a review of feedback gained when Portland Harbour Authority undertook a consultation with fishers via its Harbour Consultative Committee representative on Fishing Interests.  The consultation was the result of several safety related incidents that took place off Hamm Beach this year.

Portland Harbour Authority has made longstanding efforts to ensure different users of the waters off Hamm Beach can do so safely and without incident, including fishers and leisure users such as windsurfers and kitesurfers.

It held its consultation following reaction to an initial proposal to prohibit all potting and netting in the area.

It is noted that not all fishers took part in the consultation but we trust the new regulations will receive the co-operation and compliance of all who wish to fish the beach.

We understand the views of fishers in relation to use of Hamm Beach by leisure users, who will also have to take responsibility for their own actions and safety. 

We will endeavour to try and raise standards within the leisure community and issues will be raised with the Hamm Beach Users Group.

More information will be found on the Port’s website during December.

Alternatively contact the Harbour Office on 01305 825336 or email m.rowles@portland-port.co.uk.


CONDITIONS OF FISHING PERMIT   

Extract from The Portland Harbour Revision Order 1997, Schedule 1, Part V Paragraph 43

Any person fishing in the harbour shall comply with directions given to him by the harbourmaster

  • 3. Subject to sub-paragraphs (4) and (5) below, no person shall fish –
    1. in the main fairways;
    2. in the controlled area;
    3. within 150 metres of the harbour premises;
    4. by trawl, nets or dredges within 100 metres of the line of any cable or pipe laid down in the harbour; and
    5. with surface nets in the inner harbour, except with the written permission of the harbour master.
  •  No person shall fish in Newton’s Cove
    1. by trawl or dredges, west of a line drawn due north from “C” Head to the northern limit of the harbour; or
    2. by nets west of a line drawn 026° (true) from Torpedo Pier to the northern limit of the harbour.
  • With written permission of the harbourmaster a person may lay and lift prawn and lobster pots at the following locations:
    1. on and within 150 metres of the seaward side of the Inner Breakwater;
    2. on and within 150 metres of the seaward side of the Outer Breakwater;
    3. in and within 150 metres of the landward side of the Outer Breakwater between Beacon E and the South Ship Channel but excluding any area for the time being marked by the buoys as set aside for a fish farm;
    4. on and within 150 metres of the North-eastern Breakwater and the Northern Arm; and
    5. within 150 metres of the harbour premises lying to the south of the Inner Breakwater
  • With written permission of the harbourmaster a person may lay and lift prawn pots and within 150 metres of the landward side of the Outer Breakwater between Beacon E and the southern side of the jetty at Fort Head, but excluding any area for the time being marked by buoys as set aside for a fish farm.
  • No person shall cast or place any drift, trawl or other net in such a position as to be likely to become an obstruction or danger to any property including in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any vessel or mooring.
  • All surface set nets and such other apparatus and equipment, which could impede surface navigation in the harbour, shall be attended at all times.
  • Additionally, all surface set nets are to have additional floats along the surface line ensuring they are clearly visible to all water users. Failure to adequately mark surface nets could lead to the withdrawal of Fishing Permit.
  • All markers used to indicate the position of fishing equipment shall be clearly marked with either the owner’s name or boat registration number.

Contact:

Mark RowlesAssistant Harbourmaster
leisure@portland-port.co.uk
+44(0) 1305 825336

Prohibitions and Restrictions

Fishing is prohibited within the Noise and Magnetic Ranges at all times and surrounding ranging areas when the ranges are in use.

Click here for Range dates.

Download:

2024
Fishing Permission Application Form

Fishing Restrictions Map

Hamm Beach Fishing Group Permit Area