Get a domestic fishing vessel licence: over 10 metres

Fishing anywhere by a British fishing boat is prohibited unless authorised by a licence. If you fish without a licence or do not comply with your licence conditions, you may be prosecuted. All owners are jointly liable for any offences committed by the vessel.

To protect fish stocks, MMO does not issue new licences and there are a limited number in circulation. The only way you can get a licence is by transferring an existing one to your vessel. You need a licence entitlement to do this.

You don’t need a licence for your vessel if any of the following apply:

Before applying for a fishing vessel licence, it is your responsibility to ensure you understand your obligations as a licence holder. We have outlined some key considerations below. You should also check with other agencies such as (but not limited to) the Marine Coastguard Authority (MCA) and your regional Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority (IFCA).

Your fishing vessel licence authorises you to fish within UK waters. If you want access to non-UK waters, you should contact the UK Single Issuing Authority (UKSIA)

Your fishing vessel licence is in several parts.

You must read each part carefully to make sure you understand the terms attached to it and that they are correct for your fishing activity. It’s important to note that we do sometimes issue variations to licence conditions and it is your responsibility to check these – read more on our understand your fishing vessel licence page

Depending on the size of your vessel, you may also need to ensure monitoring systems are in place on your vessel.