There are three basic steps to get a fishing vessel licence for boats that are no more than ten metres long. Even so, you may not need to apply for a fishing vessels licence if yours meets the exemption criteria.
Information in this guide explains how to register a vessel on the UK Ship Registry. The next step would be to get a licence entitlement and then convert it to a fishing vessel licence.
The Category A licence is for British-registered fishing vessels that are not exempt. The permit allows you to catch and sell sea fish.
You would need to follow these three steps (in this order) to get a Category A (10 metres or under) fishing vessel licence:
A similar process applies to commercial fishing licences for vessels over 10 metres (and for mussel seed licences).
Note: Fishing vessel licences need to be made available for inspection (on the spot) by any marine enforcement officer. So, you must carry it on board the vessel at all times.
Several exemptions apply to this particular maritime law for vessels. You would not need to get a fishing licence for a vessel 10 metres or under if (any):
Note: You would need to get a UK fishing rod licence to fish for common eels, migratory trout, or salmon.
The first part of the process for getting a fishing vessel licence is to register your vessel on the UK Ship Registry. An exception may apply to vessels registered in the Channel Islands or in the Isle of Man.
You will need to:
There is a choice available between registering for simple or for full registration. Having full registration would allow you to take out a marine mortgage against the vessel.
The current cost for simple registration is £111 whereas the fee to get the full registration is £131.
You would need to include certain documents to complete the registration, such as:
Note: Evidence of ownership must cover the last three (3) years to apply for full registration.
As a general rule, there are two ways to get a fishing vessel licence entitlement, such as:
Either way, you would need to ensure that the entitlement is suitable for:
You would be able to combine two or more entitlements if one fails to cover the vessel. Likewise, you may split up an entitlement if you only need part of it.
In this case, the seller would transfer the entitlement into your name as part of the sale. You would then receive form AFL7 from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).
Note: Form AFL7 allows you to convert an entitlement into a fishing vessel licence (details below).
In this case, you would need to get form AFL7 from the nearest Marine Management Organisation (MMO) office. Complete sections A and B of the form and then return it to their office.
Note: MMO would check that the previous owner agreed to the transfer and then return the form to you.
Use Form AFL2 to apply for a licence for a British-registered fishing vessel. Fill in the application form and send it to the nearest MMO office, along with the original documentation of:
A licence would be valid for two (2) years, commencing on the 1st of July and ending two years later on the 30th of June. This type of fishing vessel licence renews by automatic process.
How to Get a Fishing Vessel Licence (10 Metres or Under)