Statutory guidance

Variation issued: Sunday 21 February 2021

Updated 23 December 2024

1. Check your licence

It is your responsibility to check your licence documents before going to sea as licences can be changed at any time. The most up to date licences can be accessed on the understand your fishing vessel licence page.

The variation effective from 00:01 hrs Sunday 21st February 2021 is as follows:

2. Sector Seasonal Closure

Introduction of a Mackerel IVa Flexibility box seasonal closure from 15th February – 31st July inclusive and footnote regarding mackerel flexibility as below:

“Mackerel caught in ICES Division IVa in the periods between 1 August and 15 February shall be recorded against Western mackerel quota. All other catches of mackerel in ICES Division IVa shall be recorded against the North Sea mackerel quota and shall be subject to any quota limitations set out at Part II of this Annex”.

The following licence category annexes have been updated:

Over 10m Sector:

  • Cat A: Cat A ANIFPO (11/1), Cat A CFPO (11/2), Cat A SWFPO (11/3), Cat A FPO (11/4), Cat A ASFPO (11/5), Cat A NIFPO (11/7), Cat A AFPO (11/8), Cat A SFO (11/9),Cat A EEFPO (11/14), Cat A LFPO (11/17), Cat A IPO (11/25), Cat A NAFPO (11/26), Cat A WFPO (11/29),
  • Cat A Pelagic: Cat A Pelagic CFPO (17/2), Cat A Pelagic SWFPO (17/3), Cat A Pelagic IFPO (17/25), Cat A Pelagic NAFPO (17/26),
  • Cat B: Cat B CFPO (31/2), Cat B SFO (31/9), Cat B OFPO (31/22),
  • Cat C: Cat C CFPO (41/2) and Cat C EEFPO (41/14).
  • Deep Sea Species: DSS ANIFPO (85/1), DSS CFPO (85/2), DSS SWFPO (85/3), DSS FPO (85/4), DSS AFPO (85/8), DSS LFPO (85/17), DSS WWCFPO (85/19),

3. Under 10m Sector:

  • 10m and under Sector: ANIFPO (91/1), SWFPO (91/3), ASFPO (91/5/), EEFPO (91/14), NSFO (91/18), WFPO(91/29)

The most up to date licences can be accessed on the understand your fishing vessel licence webpage.