Guidance

Commercial fishing vessel operators: requirements for working with observers

Published 7 August 2025

These requirements apply to commercial fishing vessel operators. If you’re also the ship master, you will need to meet the requirements for commercial fishing vessel masters as well.

If you’re the observer, you will need to meet the requirements for the observer role.

You must check if your fishing vessel requires an observer. If it does, you must follow this guidance when arranging the observer and working with them.

You’ll also need to meet any requirements set by:

• national regulations
• Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) where the UK has quota to fish
• your fishing vessel licence conditions

Check if you need an observer

In the UK, you will need an observer if your fishing stocks are managed by the following schemes.

Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO)

You need an observer for any fishing activities in the NAFO Regulatory Area.

You do not need an observer outside this area.

You will need to use a control observer. This type of observer monitors whether your vessel’s fishing activities comply with rules in the area. For example, they might check the consistency of entries in the vessel’s logbook with their own estimation of catches, bycatch and discards.

As well as the rules outlined here, you will also need to meet the NAFO observer requirements (article 30).

North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC)

You need an observer for up to 100% of your fishing activities if you are fishing:

• redfish (Sebastes mentella)
• in ICES subareas 1 and 2 of the NEAFC Regulatory Area

You do not need an observer if your vessel is fishing for other species or in other areas.

You will need to use a scientific observer. This type of observer carries out scientific work, such as collecting samples of size or sex.

As well as the rules outlined here, you will also need to meet the NEAFC observer requirements.

International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)

You need an observer for 5% of your fishing activities if you are fishing:

• albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga)
• using pelagic longlines, purse seines, baitboats, traps, gillnets or trawls
• in all waters of the ICCAT Convention Area

You will need to use a scientific observer. This type of observer carries out scientific work, such as collecting samples of size or sex.

You may still need an observer if your vessel is fishing for other species in other areas with ICCAT.

As well as the rules outlined here, you will also need to meet the ICCAT observer requirements (recommendation 16-14).

Arranging an observer

You’re responsible for arranging and paying the observer.

When you arrange an observer, you must check they:

• are independent of you, the licence holder, the master and any crew
• have no economic link to you (for example, they are not a member of staff)
• understand fisheries and fisheries rules within certain sea areas, through qualification or prior experience
• have taken (or will take) appropriate seafarer training and certification
• have (or will get) a seafarer medical certificate

It’s desired that observers have:

• previous seagoing experience
• a degree in a relevant subject such as marine biology or environmental science
• personal insurance

Before your vessel leaves

You need to notify your fisheries administration of the observer you plan to use. You should allow time for them to:

• work with Defra to approve the observer in line with the standards required for that RFMO
• potentially have a briefing call with the observer, or observer company, to discuss duties, emergency protocols, and specific reporting procedures for the fisheries rules in the area of operation
• provide an emergency point of contact to the observer

Before your vessel leaves you must:

• check the fisheries observer rules in force in the sea area of operation
• share boarding locations and times with the observer ahead of a voyage
• make sure the observer has access to appropriate safety equipment

Make sure you have spoken to the observer and your fisheries administration about the rules in the sea area of operation and any specific reporting requirements.

Contact your fisheries administration

Contact your fisheries administration for any questions you have about your requirements.

Northern Ireland

Email the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) at DAERAOPS@daera-ni.gov.uk.

Scotland

Email the Marine Directorate of the Scottish Government at UKFMC@gov.scot.

England

Email the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) at MMO.OPS@marinemanagement.org.uk.

Wales

Email the Welsh Government at wfmccmpc@gov.wales.