Fishing

Recreational and commercial fishing vessel regulations, codes of practice, safety, equipment and training.

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Services

• Get a fishing vessel licence: vessels 10 metres or under

  Register a vessel, get a licence entitlement and convert it to a licence

• How to apply for a safe manning document for fishing vessels

  Complete MSF 3902 for a safe manning document for fishing vessels.

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Guidance and regulation

• UK seafarer careers: Training provision, information and examination syllabuses
  • Detailed guide
  • 6 March 2024
  • Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• The Code of Practice for the Safety of Small Fishing Vessels of less than 15m Length Overall
  • Guidance
  • 31 January 2024
  • Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• MSN 1905 (M+F) Application of ships' medical stores regulations 1995
  • Guidance
  • 28 April 2023
  • Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Inspection of fishing vessels of less than 15m Length Overall
  • Detailed guide
  • 6 April 2023
  • Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Fishing vessel certifying authorities
  • Detailed guide
  • 12 February 2024
  • Maritime and Coastguard Agency

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News and communications

• New plans revealed to support UK’s fishing industry
  • 27 March 2024
  • Department for Transport and Maritime and Coastguard Agency
  • News story
• Fishers' medical certificate exemption
  • 27 March 2024
  • Department for Transport
  • Written statement
• Government to support small-scale fishing industry across the UK in latest medical consultation
  • 16 January 2024
  • Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Department for Transport
  • Press release
• Extension and concessions granted to help industry with medical certification
  • 29 November 2023
  • Maritime and Coastguard Agency
  • Press release
• Safety tips and checklists feature on new app for seafarers
  • 14 November 2023
  • Maritime and Coastguard Agency
  • News story

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Research and statistics

• Effort use statistics February 2019
  • 13 March 2019
  • Marine Management Organisation
  • Statistical data set
• Effort statistics January 2019
  • 13 February 2019
  • Marine Management Organisation
  • Statistical data set
• Monthly sea fisheries statistics January 2018
  • 23 March 2018
  • Marine Management Organisation
  • National statistics
• Effort statistics December 2017
  • 6 March 2018
  • Marine Management Organisation
  • Statistical data set
• Effort statistics January 2018
  • 6 March 2018
  • Marine Management Organisation
  • Statistical data set

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Policy papers and consultations

• Medical Exemption – Existing Fishers on Vessels of 10 Metres and Under
  • 27 March 2024
  • Maritime and Coastguard Agency
  • Consultation outcome
  • Date closed 27 February 2024
• Consultation on the eligibility of fishermen for a British Seamen's Card
  • 6 March 2023
  • Maritime and Coastguard Agency
  • Consultation outcome
  • Date closed 28 November 2022
• Consultation on the future of the UK seafarer medical examination (ENG1) fee 2022
  • 11 November 2022
  • Maritime and Coastguard Agency
  • Consultation outcome
  • Date closed 11 August 2022
• Consultation on entry into enclosed space regulations on ships
  • 12 October 2021
  • Maritime and Coastguard Agency
  • Consultation outcome
  • Date closed 19 July 2021
• Joint Fisheries Statement (JFS)
  • 6 December 2022
  • Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Northern Ireland), The Scottish Government, and Welsh Government
  • Policy paper

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Transparency and freedom of information releases

• MCA: Annual report and accounts 2017 to 2018
  • 19 July 2018
  • Maritime and Coastguard Agency
  • Corporate report

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Organisations

• Maritime & Coastguard Agency
• Marine Management Organisation
• Department for Transport
• Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs
• Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street

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• Environment Agency