Variation issued: Thursday 01 October 2026
Updated 29 September 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fishing-vessel-licence-variations/variation-issued-thursday-01-october-2026
1. The variation effective from 00:01hrs Thursday 01 October 2026 is as follows:
Over 10m Non-Sector quota increase
- Affecting licence categories A (11), A (Pelagic) (17), and B (31)
| SPECIES | SEA AREA (AS STATED IN ANNEXE) | QUOTA FROM (TONNES) | QUOTA TO (TONNES) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plaice | 2a, 3a, 4 | 5 (monthly) | 12 (monthly) |
1.1 Over 10m Non-Sector quota decrease
- Affecting licence categories A (11), A (Pelagic) (17), and B (31)
| SPECIES | SEA AREA (AS STATED IN ANNEXE) | QUOTA FROM (TONNES) | QUOTA TO (TONNES) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cod | 2a, 3a, 4 | 15 (monthly) | 5 (monthly) |
1.2 Over 10m and 10m & Under Non-Sector quota decrease
- Affecting licence categories A (11), A (Islands) (12), A (Pelagic) (17), B (31), and A (91)
| SPECIES | SEA AREA (AS STATED IN ANNEXE) | QUOTA FROM (TONNES) | QUOTA TO (TONNES) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pollack | 7 | 2.5 (monthly) | 1.5 (monthly) |
1.3 Q4 Scallop Effort Days
- Affecting Over 10m licence Schedules for licence categories A (11), A Islands (12), A Pelagic (17), B (31) and C (41)
Q4 Scallop effort days set at 80 days
1.4 Real Time Closures (RTC) conditions added
- Affecting Over 10m licence conditions for licence categories A (11), A Islands (12), A Pelagic (17), B (31) and C (41)
Conditions appear as follows in licence conditions:
xx.4 (a) The master and owner of the vessel to which this licence relates must ensure full compliance with all Real-Time Closures (RTCs) that are in force at any time during the vessel’s fishing operations.
(b) The master and owner of the vessel shall ensure that the vessel to which this licence relates does not fish with restricted gears in any area subject to an active RTC and must immediately cease fishing and exit the closed area, if fishing with a restricted gear, upon becoming aware that an RTC has come into effect.
(c) It is the responsibility of both the master and the owner to remain informed of all current RTCs. The most up-to-date details of RTCs, including gears, maps, coordinates and duration of closures, are published on the UK Government website at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/real-time-closures
(d) Any vessel transiting through a specified RTC must have all restricted fishing gear inboard, lashed and stowed.
(e) Failure to comply with any RTC in force shall constitute a breach of this licence.
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.