Variation issued: Wednesday 01 April 2026
Updated 30 March 2026
© Crown copyright 2026
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fishing-vessel-licence-variations/variation-issued-wednesday-01-april-2026
The variation effective from 00:01hrs Wednesday 01 April 2026 is as follows:
1. Over 10m and 10m & Under non-sector quota increase
- Affecting Over 10m licence category A (11), A Islands (12), B (31), and 10m & Under category A (91)
| SPECIES | SEA AREA (AS STATED IN ANNEXE) | QUOTA SET FROM (TONNES) | QUOTA SET TO (TONNES) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pollack | 7 | 0.2 (monthly) | 0.75 (monthly) |
2. Western Waters scallop effort days set for Q2
- Affecting licence schedules for category A (11), A Islands (12), A Pelagic (17), B (31) and C (41)
Western Water scallop days at sea now set to 75 days for Q2 (00:01 hrs 01 April 2026 – 23:59 30 June 2026)
3. Isle of Man annexes updated to reflect new fisheries
- Affecting Over 10m licence categories A (11/23), B (31/23), C (41/23), and 10m & Under category A (91/23)
| SPECIES | SEA AREA (AS STATED IN ANNEXE) | QUOTA SET FROM (TONNES) | QUOTA SET TO (TONNES) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shagreen Ray | 6, 7 (excluding 7d) | N/A | 1 (monthly) |
| Shagreen Ray | 7d | NA | CLOSED |
| Sandy Ray | 6, 7, (excluding 7d) | NA | CLOSED |
| Sandy Ray | 7d | NA | CLOSED |
| Small-Eyed Ray | 7d | NA | CLOSED |
4. Queen scallop closure in subareas 6a and 7a
- Affecting Over 10m licence schedules for category A (11), A (Islands) (12), A (Pelagic) (17), B (31), and C (41)
Closure condition appears in schedules as follows:
10.3 Fishing for queen scallops (Aequipecten opercularis) in waters of ICES subareas 6a and 7a is prohibited from 00:01 hours on 1 April 2026 - 23:59 on 30 June 2026.
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.