United Kingdom Single Issuing Authority (UKSIA)

The UKSIA manages UK domestic fishing vessel access to non-UK waters and foreign vessel access to UK waters.

UK fishing vessel licensing in Faroes waters 2026

As of 00:01 hours on 01/01/2026 UK vessels will no longer be authorised to fish in in the Faroes Exclusive Economic Zone EEZ in order to prevent an overfish of allocated Cod and Haddock quota. No vessel flying the United Kingdom flag can be actively fishing from that time in the Faroese Exclusive Economic Zone.

Fisheries consultations between the United Kingdom and Norway for 2026 concluded on the 22nd December 2025. If your vessel has access to fishing opportunities in Faroese waters in 2025 You do not need to apply for a licence to fish in 2026. Your 2026 licence will automatically be sent to you.

If you have any queries please contact the UKSIA at [email protected] or call 02080265062 or visit the UKSIA website.

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is acting as the UK Single Issuing Authority (UKSIA) to issue fishing vessel licences on behalf of the UK sea fish licensing authorities of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to manage UK fishing vessel access to non-UK waters, and foreign vessel access to UK waters.

The UK is an independent coastal state and vessels from the EU and other coastal states wishing to access UK waters will require a fishing vessel licence issued by the UKSIA.

In addition to their UK licence, UK vessels require external waters licences to fish in waters outside of British Fishery Limits, including waters of the European Union and other coastal states such as Norway and the Faroe Islands, and in the waters of regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs) to which the UK is a contracting party.