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Introduction
The purpose of the fishing vessel licensing system is to control UK fishing opportunities so that the European Union ( EU) regulations for sustainable fisheries management can be met. This is particularly important because many fish stocks are under pressure from over fishing.
Fishing vessels that are registered in the UK are not allowed to fish anywhere without a licence for sea fish which will be sold.
A fishing vessel licence is the authority for a registered fishing vessel to fish for sea fish, subject to any limitations stated in the licence. This enables the Government to ensure that the UK does not exceed the quotas given to it each year under the EU Common Fisheries Policy.
This guidance note provides information about ensuring that your vessel engine power is licensed. More detailed information about the other key elements of the licensing system can be found in other guidance notes in this series:
- Fishing vessel licensing: an introduction
- Applying for a fishing vessel licence
- Making changes to your fishing vessel licence
- Fisheries quota management
These are available from Fishery Offices and Fisheries Administrations HQs and the information is also available at www.scotland.gov.uk/topics/fisheries/seafisheries/fishingvessellicensing
Staff in Fishery Offices will be pleased to offer any further advice on any points that are not clear to you. All forms can be obtained from your local Fishery Office. They can be returned to any Fishery Office but will normally be dealt with by your local Office. Contact addresses for Fisheries Administrations HQs and Fishery Offices can be found at Annex 1.
Important: The information contained in this guidance note is correct at time of publishing. However licensing rules are subject to change so please contact your local Fishery Office for confirmation of the current rules before entering into any commitment regarding a fishing vessel or licence. Fisheries Administrations cannot accept responsibility for any losses incurred as a result of fishermen acting upon information contained within this guidance note that has not been confirmed by a Fishery Office.
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