MMO shines Fish, Trace, Ship campaign spotlight on actions to keep UK exports to the EU flowing
Generating a catch certificate from the Fish Export Service for a seafood consignment to enter EU markets requires each part of the UK supply chain to meet its data obligations accurately and on time.
Fish, Trace, Ship logo and tag line "Act Now, Are you on board".
From 10 January 2026 additional information will be required for UK businesses to continue exporting, as the EU has updated its data requirements as part of an update of the trading bloc’s Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) regulations.
“An omission of required information or a mistake in reporting at any stage of the journey from catching to shipping could stop a consignment from getting the catch certificate needed for export to the EU.” Says Nick Greenwood, MMO’s Head of Marine Protection & Operations Services.
“That’s why we are now working with each group of stakeholders in the UK supply chain to make sure they’re ready for the additional data the EU will require from early next year.
“Our message is simple – get on board with the changes required for your business right now by visiting our campaign page.
More than 75% of the catches made by UK commercial fishing vessels are destined for export into the EU.
MMO, working with the UK’s Fisheries Administrations, is planning a series of engagement sessions and webinars to enable businesses from the catching, sales, processing and export sectors, to learn in detail exactly what they need to do to comply with the January 2026 changes.
Nick Greenwood added: “Our number one goal is to support industry to continue exporting efficiently when the changes come in to force on 10 January 2026.
“It is critical that each part of the supply chain understands its own obligations and gears up early to make supplying all the required information as simple as possible when the new changes come into force.”
Correct labelling of fish catches at point of first sale has always been a legal requirement – and key to ensuring data flows through the rest of the supply chain.
MMO has been working with fishers to improve their labelling and educating skippers who are failing to meet the requirements of current regulations.
Complying with these UK rules will become even more important once the new EU IUU requirements come into force.
Nick Greenwood says: “Correct labelling when a catch is landed and before it’s sold is crucial to making sure fish can be traced, from where they’re caught right up to where they’re sold to a consumer.
“The data is vital, whether your catch is destined for a local restaurant or for a market in the EU.
“Getting the right information into the supply chain right at the start will support businesses looking to export catches and we urge all fishers to use our guidance to be clear on how to comply with their obligations.”
More information on labelling and traceability is here.