Statutory guidance

Variation issued: Sunday 01 March 2026

Updated 27 February 2026

The variation effective from 00:01hrs Sunday 01 March 2026 is as follows:

1. Introduction of lobster minimum conservation reference sizes in English waters

• Affecting Over 10m licence categories A (11), A (Islands) (12), A (Pelagic) (17), B (31), C (41), and 10m & Under licence categories A (91), and A (91) (PO)

The condition in licence schedules inserted as follows:

X. X In English waters west of 2° 56.78′ W and south of 52° 0 N, the minimum conservation reference size for European lobster (Homarus gammarus) shall be 90 mm.

In the rest of English waters, west of 2° 56.78′ W and north of 52° 0 N, as well as east of 2° 56.78′ W, the minimum conservation reference size for European lobster (Homarus gammarus) shall be 88 mm.

All European lobsters shall be measured as the length of the carapace, parallel to the midline, from the back of either eye socket to the distal edge of the carapace (as per Regulation (EU) 2019/1214, Annex IV).   

This licence condition will commence at 00.01 on 01 March 2026.

2. Harmonisation of Sword fish bycatch condition between Over 10m and 10m & Under licence schedules

• Affecting Over 10m licence categories A (11), A (Islands) (12), A (Pelagic) (17), B (31), and C (41)

Condition in Over 10m licence schedules now mirrors 10m & Under licence schedules and appears as follows:

This licence does not authorise fishing for sword fish. An incidental bycatch of two fish of this species will however be allowed to be retained on board during any fishing trip.

3. Marine Directorate Prohibition on Fishing in the Firth of Clyde

• Affecting Over 10m licence categories A (11), A (Islands) (12), A (Pelagic) (17), B (31), C (41), and 10m & Under licence categories A (91), and A (91) (PO)

Condition where inserted in licence schedules, appears as follows:

X. All UK licenced fishing vessels are prohibited from fishing in the Firth of Clyde (all species - sea and shell fish) unless they have landed any recorded quantity of sea or shell fish from that area on at least one occasion between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2025. 

 Firth of Clyde being the area enclosed to the landward side of coordinates:

• 55° 00.000’ north latitude and 005° 10.120’ west longitude,
• 55° 00.000’ north latitude and 005° 21.000’ west longitude,
• 55° 17.962’ north latitude and 005° 47.914’ west longitude.

 Where a vessel is operating under the authority of the Scottish Ministers for the purpose of scientific investigation, an exemption may be granted by the Scottish Ministers.

Vessel owners and masters are also encouraged to adhere to a voluntary seasonal closure to protect spawning cod in the area commonly known as the Clyde Cod Box (please see the blue area on the map below from the original Order which can be accessed here The Sea Fish (Prohibition on Fishing) (Firth of Clyde) Order 2026. Note the purple area is an MPA. This closure will operate from this weekend until 1 April, with limited access permitted for scientific purposes – such vessels will be subject to REM or onboard observer requirements.

Voluntary Closure Area (Blue Area)

4. Over 10m Non-Sector Quota Increase

• Affecting Over 10m licence categories A (11), A (Islands) (12), B (31), and C (41)

SPECIES	SEA AREA (AS STATED IN ANNEXE)	QUOTA SET FROM (TONNES)	QUOTA SET TO (TONNES)
Horse mackerel	2a, 4a, 5b, 6, 7a-c, 7e-k, 8a,b,d,e	0.5 (monthly)	5 (monthly)

The most up to date licences can be accessed on the understand your fishing vessel licence webpage.             

It is your responsibility to check variations before going to sea as they can be changed at any time.          

If you have any queries, please contact the Fisheries Management Team.