Commercial and recreational fishing
Updated 28 December 2023
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1. What is Commercial fishing?
Commercial fishing means fishing for any kind of reward or gain, whether through a financial transaction, barter or other form of trade
If you want to fish commercially and sell your fish you may be subject to regulations depending on your fishing method.
2. What is recreational fishing?
Fishing for the purposes of pleasure, tourism or sport from the shore or from a vessel is regarded as ‘recreational’ fishing.
It is illegal to sell any of the catch from recreational fisheries.
You may need a permit issued by an Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA).
3. Types of commercial fishing
In England there are a number of different ways of fishing commercially.
3.1 Licensed fishing vessels
You can fish commercially from a vessel licensed by one of the UK fisheries authorities.
See the fishing vessel licensing webpages for further information on how to license your vessel and the conditions that apply.
3.2 Unpowered under 10 metre vessels
You may currently fish commercially without a UK fishing vessel licence if your vessel: * does not have a propulsion engine (‘unpowered’) and is not assisted by a powered vessel for any part of the operation of the vessel (e.g. towed); and * measures not more than 10 metres in overall length
You may need a permit issued by an Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA).
3.3 Licensed charter vessels
If you fish from a charter vessel which:
- has a UK fishing vessel licence; and
- any of the fish caught during the charter is sold (or is intended to be sold)
Then the trip is for a commercial purpose which means the vessel’s fishing licence applies and all catches taken are subject to the licence and any conditions contained in it.
3.4 Shore
If you fish commercially from the shore without a vessel you do not require a licence issued by a UK fisheries administration. Bass cannot be currently sold if caught from the shore.
UK legislation and local by-laws may apply to shore fishing activities. Please contact your local MMO office and inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) for further details.