Fisheries legislation
Below are PDF documents containing the majority of the legislation pertinent to fisheries in English waters, and legislation pertinent to Wales.
These are intended as aids to the industry and their legal advisors, and to ensure a compliant fishing industry in English and Welsh waters.
- Fisheries legislation
- MFA Legislation Resource
Download MFA Legislation Resource (The "Blue Book") (PDF 17.1 MB) [NB Large file size, opens in new window]- Control Regulation: Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy
- Download Council Regulation (EC) No.1224/2009 (PDF 1.76 MB)
If you have any enquiries regarding the legislation, please email info@mfa.gsi.gov.uk. Alternatively contact your local MFA office.
MFA endeavours to maintain this document with up-to-date legislation but cannot guarantee that it is up-to-date at all times. For all EU and UK legislation please consult the following web sites/document.
- Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing legislation
- Download Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 (PDF 448 KB)
- Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 of 29 September 2008 establishing a Community system to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, amending regulations (EEC) No 2847/93, (EC) No 1936/2001 and (EC) No 601/2004 and repealing regulations (EC) No 1093/94 and (EC) No 1447/1999.
- Download Commission Regulation (EC) No 1010/2009 (Implementing regulations) (PDF 1.3 MB)
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 1010/2009 of 22 October 2009 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 establishing a Community system to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
- Download Commission Regulation (EU) No 86/2010 (amending 1010/2009) (PDF 1.7 MB)
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 86/2010 of 29 January 2010 as regards the definition of fishery products and amending Commission Regulation (EC) No 1010/2009 as regards exchange of information on inspections of third country vessels and administrative arrangements on catch certificates.
- Download Handbook on the practical application of the IUU regulation. (PDF 299 KB)
- This is the first edition of DG Maritime and Fisheries (hereinafter DG MARE) Handbook on the practical application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 of 29 September 2008 establishing a Community system to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (hereafter, the IUU Regulation).
- Download latest List of notified Member States' Authorities. (PDF 81 KB)
- List of Member States and their competent authorities concerning Articles 15(2), 17(8) and 21(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008.
- Download latest List of approved third countries (PDF 43 KB)
- List of countries having already notified their competent authorities to the Commission in accordance with Article 20(1) and (2) of the IUU Regulation. This information includes the names of the authorities notified in accordance with Annex III of the IUU Regulation.
- Download Commission Decision (PDF 700 KB)
- Designating the Community Fisheries Control Agency as the body to carry out certain tasks under Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008.
The Sea Fishing (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing) Order 2009 (Statutory Instrument No 3391)
[All links open in a new window]
- UK Legislation
The UK Statute Law Database
- EU Legislation
- EUR-Lex
- Scotland
- Marine Scotland
- Isle of Man and the Channel Islands
- Guernsey
- Isle of Man
- Jersey
Sea Fisheries Committees
There are local byelaws that effect fisheries around the UK inside 6 nautical miles from the coast, these can be found by contacting the relevant Sea Fisheries Committees.
- Cornwall
- Cumbria
- Devon (email)
- Eastern
- Isles of Scilly
- Kent and Essex
- North Eastern
- North Western and North Wales
- Northumberland
- Southern
- South Wales
- Sussex