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Current licences and permits

Licence variations occur to reflect changes in quota limits and closures/openings of sea areas during the lifetime of a licence, as requested by our quota managers.

New licences

  • (3 May 2013) Licence type 9116 for under 10 metres vessels that are members of the Fleetwood Fish Producers' Organisation
  • (28 December 2012) Licence type 317 for Category B over 10 metres vessels that are members of the Northern Ireland Fish Producers' Organisation
  • (5 October 2012) Licence type 853 for Deep sea species over 10 metres vessels that are members of the South Western Fish Producers' Organisation (SWFPO)

Recent licence variations

Issued Thursday 13 June 2013

Effective from 00.01 hours, Saturday 15 June 2013
Who is affected Licence type(s) Species Sea area(s) Description of change
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199)


Whiting IIa (EC Zone) and IV Increase monthly catch limit from 2.5 to 3.25 tonnes
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199)


Cod IIa (EC Zone) and IV Increase monthly catch limit from 1.25 to 1.75 tonnes

Issued Wednesday 5 June 2013

Effective from 00.01 hours, Saturday 8 June 2013
Who is affected Licence type(s) Species Sea area(s) Description of change
Scottish Fishermen's Organisation 119 Plaice VIIf to g Close the fishery

Issued Friday 31 May 2013

Effective from 00.01 hours, Saturday 1 June 2013
Who is affected Licence type(s) Species Sea area(s) Description of change
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199)
Capped (9499)
Dabs and flounders IV Increase monthly catch limit from 1 to 3 tonnes
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199)
Capped (9499)
Skates and rays VIId Increase monthly catch limit from 400 kg to 6 tonnes for a two-month period from 1 June to 31 July (reverting back to 400 kg a month afterward)
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199)
Capped (9499)
Sole VIIe Increase monthly catch limit from 50 to 60 kg
Over 10 metre (non-sector) 1199, 3199, and 4199 Dabs and flounders IV Increase monthly catch limit from 2 to 3 tonnes
Over 10 metre (non-sector) 1199 and 1299 Sole VIIe Increase monthly catch limit from 50 to 60 kg

Issued Friday 24 May 2013

Effective from 00.01 hours, Saturday 1 June 2013
Who is affected Licence type(s) Species Sea area(s) Description of change
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199)
Capped (9499)
Cod VIId Close the fishery
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199)
Capped (9499)
Herring EU and international waters of Vb, VIb and VIaN Close the fishery
Over 10 metre (non-sector) 1199 and 1299 Cod VIId Close the fishery
Over 10 metre (non-sector) 1199 Herring EU and international waters of Vb, VIb and VIaN Close the fishery
Over 10 metres (sector – Fife FPO) 1110

Herring EU and international waters of Vb, VIb and VIaN Close the fishery

Issued Friday 17 May 2013

Effective from 00.01 hours, Tuesday 21 May 2013
Who is affected Licence type(s) Species Sea area(s) Description of change
Over 10 metres (sector – Fife FPO) 1110

Hake EU waters of IIa and IV Close the fishery
Over 10 metres (sector – Fife FPO) 1110

Haddock EU and international waters of Vb and VIa Close the fishery
Over 10 metres (sector – Fife FPO) 1110

Anglerfish VI, EU and international waters of Vb, international waters of XII and XIV Close the fishery

Issued Monday 13 May 2013

Effective from 00.01 hours, Tuesday 14 May 2013
Who is affected Licence type(s) Species Sea area(s) Description of change
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199)
Capped (9499)
Sole VIIe Increase monthly catch limit from 30 to 50 kg
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199)
Capped (9499)
Horse mackerel IVb (EC Zone), IVc and VIId Open the fishery with a monthly catch limit of 250 kg
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199) Nephrops IIa (EC Zone) and IV (EC Zone) Increase quarterly catch limit from 15 to 20 tonnes
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199) Whiting IIa (EC Zone) and IV Increase monthly catch limit from 1 to 2.5 tonnes
Over 10 metres (non-sector) 1199, 3199, and 4199 Nephrops IIa (EC Zone) and IV (EC Zone) Increase quarterly catch limit from 15 to 20 tonnes
Over 10 metres (non-sector) 1199 Whiting IIa (EC Zone) and IV Increase monthly catch limit from 250 kg to 1 tonne

Issued Monday 29 April 2013

Effective from 00.01 hours, Wednesday 1 May 2013
Who is affected Licence type(s) Species Sea area(s) Description of change
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199)


Plaice VIIde Reduce catch limit from 1.5 to 1 tonnes
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199)


Anglerfish VII Increase catch limit from 4 to 6 tonnes
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199)


Haddock VIIb-k, VIII, IX, X, CECAF 34.1.1 Increase catch limit from 1 to 1.5 tonnes
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199)


Nephrops IIa (EC Zone) and IV (EC Zone) Increase catch limit from 12 to 15 tonnes a quarter
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199)


Nephrops VII Increase catch limit from 4.5 to 6 tonnes a quarter
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199)


Sole II (EC Zone) and IV (EC Zone) Increase monthly catch limit from 1 to 2 tonnes
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199)


Sole VIId Increase monthly catch limit from 2 to 2.5 tonnes
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199)
Capped (9499)
Ling IV (EC Zone) Increase monthly catch limit from 100 to 250 kg
Under 10 metres (non-sector)

Fife FPO under 10 metre vessels
Uncapped (9199)


9110
Mackerel IIa (EC Zone), IIIa, IIIbde (EC Zone) and IV Increase monthly catch limit from 100 to 400 kg
Under 10 metres (non-sector)

Fife FPO under 10 metre vessels
Uncapped (9199)


9110
Mackerel IIa (Non-EC Zone), Vb (EC Zone), VI, VII, VIIIabde, XII (international waters) and XIV (international waters) Increase monthly catch limit from 1 to 2 tonnes
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Capped (9499) Mackerel IIa (EC Zone), IIIa, IIIbde (EC Zone) and IV Increase monthly catch limit from 100 to 300 kg
Over 10 metres (non-sector) 1199 and 1299 Anglerfish VII Increase monthly catch limit from 1.5 to 6 tonnes
Over 10 metres (non-sector) 1199 and 1299 Sole VIId Increase monthly catch limit from 2 to 2.5 tonnes
Over 10 metres (non-sector) 1199, 3199, and 4199 Nephrops IIa (EC Zone) and IV (EC Zone) Increase catch limit from 12 to 15 tonnes a quarter
Over 10 metres (non-sector) 1199, 1299 and 3199 Nephrops VII Increase catch limit from 2 to 6 tonnes a quarter
Over 10 metres (sector – Fife FPO, non-sector) and Fife FPO under 10 metre vessels 1110, 1199, 9110

Mackerel IIa (EC Zone, IIIa, IIIbcd (EC Zone) and IV Open the fishery with a monthly catch limit of 400 kg
Over 10 metres (sector – Fife FPO, non-sector) and Fife FPO under 10 metre vessels 1110, 1199, 9110

Mackerel IIa (Non-EC Zone), Vb (EC Zone), VI, VII, VIIIabde, XII (international waters) and XIV (international waters) Increase monthly catch limit from 100 kg to 2 tonnes
Over 10 metres (non-sector) 1199 Sole II (EC Zone) and IV (EC Zone) Increase monthly catch limit from 1 to 2 tonnes
Over 10 metres (non-sector) 1299 Mackerel VII and VIIIabde Increase monthly catch limit from 100 kg to 2 tonnes

Issued Friday 26 April 2013

Effective from 00.01 hours, Saturday 27 April 2013
Who is affected Licence type(s) Species Sea area(s) Description of change
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199)


Plaice VIIde Increase catch limit from 1 to 1.5 tonnes
Over 10 metres (non-sector) 1199 and 1299 Plaice VIIde Increase catch limit from 750 kg to 1.5 tonnes
Fleetwood Fish Producers' Organisation Deep sea species licence (8516) Forkbeards V, VI, VII Oen the fishery
Scottish Fishermen's Organisation 119 and 319 Nephrops VII Porcupine Bank Unit 16 Open the fishery

Issued Friday 19 April 2013

Effective from 00.01 hours, Saturday 20 April 2013
Who is affected Licence type(s) Species Sea area(s) Description of change
Over 10 metres (non-sector) 1199, 1299, 3199, and 4199 Skates and rays VIId Increase catch limit from 250 to 400 kg
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199)


Skates and rays VIId Increase catch limit from 250 to 400 kg
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Capped (9499) Skates and rays VIId Increase catch limit from 250 to 300 kg

Issued Wednesday 3 April 2013

Effective from 00.01 hours, Thursday 4 April 2013
Who is affected Licence type(s) Species Sea area(s) Description of change
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199)
Capped (9499)
Cod VIId Open the fishery with a monthly catch limit of 50 kg

Issued Tuesday 26 March 2013

Effective from 00.01 hours, Monday 1 April 2013
Who is affected Licence type(s) Species Sea area(s) Description of change
All over 15 metre vessels Licence schedule types 11, 12, 17, 31, 41 and 51.

This only affects licences over 15 metres.
Scallops

King Scallops (Pecten maximus) and Queen Scallops (Aequipecten opercularis)
VII Set limits on the number of effort days from 1 April to 30 June as 40 days – as outlined in paragraphs 6.3.1 and 6.3.2
Over 10 metres (non-sector) 1199, 3199, and 4199 Nephrops IIa (EC Zone) and IV (EC Zone) Decrease quarterly catch limit from 15 to 12 tonnes
Over 10 metres (non-sector) 1199 and 1299 Sole VIIf-g Increase monthly catch limit from 250 kg to 1 tonne
Over 10 metres (non-sector) 1199 and 1299 Sole VIId Increase monthly catch limit from 1 to 2 tonnes
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199) Sole VIId Increase monthly catch limit from 1.5 to 2 tonnes
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199) Lemon sole and witches IIa (EC Zone) and IV (EC Zone) Increase monthly catch limit from 3 to 5 tonnes
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199) Megrim VII Increase monthly catch limit from 4 to 5 tonnes
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199) Nephrops IIa (EC Zone) and IV (EC Zone) Decrease quarterly catch limit from 15 to 12 tonnes
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199)
Capped (9499)
Saithe IIa (EC Zone), IIIa, IIIb-d, IV (EC Zone) Increase monthly catch limit from 200 to 250 kg
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199)
Capped (9499)
Cod VIId Close the fishery
Under 10 metres (non-sector)

Fife FPO under 10 metre vessels
Uncapped (9199)


9110
Herring IVc and VIId Increase monthly catch limit from 3 to 5 tonnes

Issued Friday 15 March 2013

Effective from 00.01 hours, Saturday 16 March 2013
Who is affected Licence type(s) Species Sea area(s) Description of change
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199)
Capped (9499)
Skates and Rays IIa (EC Zone), IV (EC Zone) Increase monthly catch limit from 250 to 400 kg
Under 10 metres (non-sector)

Over 10 metres (non-sector)
Uncapped (9199)
Capped (9499)

1199
Sole IIa (EC Zone), IV (EC Zone) Increase monthly catch limit to 1 tonne
Under 10 metres (non-sector)

Over 10 metres (non-sector)
Uncapped (9199)
Capped (9499)

1199, 3199, and 4199
Turbot and Brill IIa (EC Zone), IV (EC Zone) Increase monthly catch limit from 250 to 350 kg
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199)


Ling VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XII (international waters) and XIV (international waters) Increase monthly catch limit from 1.5 to 3.5 tonnes
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199)
Capped (9499)
Mackerel IIa (EC Zone), IIIa, IIIb-d (EC Zone), IV (EC Zone) Open the fishery

Issued Tuesday 12 March 2013

Effective from 00.01 hours, Wednesday 13 March 2013
Who is affected Licence type(s) Species Sea area(s) Description of change
Thames and Blackwater 2399 Herring   Increase the total allowable catch to 20 tonnes of herring until it has been taken or in light of advice from the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science following the results of the stock analysis and protection of the spawning areas or 31 March 2013, whichever is sooner.

Issued Friday 1 March 2013

Effective from 00.01 hours, Saturday 2 March 2013
Who is affected Licence type(s) Species Sea area(s) Description of change
Scottish Fishermen's Organisation 119 and 319 Greenland halibut EU waters of IIa and IV and international waters of Vb and VI Open the fishery

Issued Wednesday 27 February 2013

Effective from 00.01 hours, Friday 1 March 2013
Who is affected Licence type(s) Species Sea area(s) Description of change
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199)
Capped (9499)
Cod VIId Increase monthly catch limit from 125 to 150 kg
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199)
Capped (9499)
Saithe IIa (EC Zone), IIIa, IIIb-d (EC Zone) and IV (EC Zone) Increase monthly catch limit from 100 to 200 kg
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199)
Capped (9499)
Sole II (EC Zone) and IV (EC Zone) Increase monthly catch limit from 100 to 250 kg
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199)
Capped (9499)
Sole VIId Increase monthly catch limit from 1 to 1.5 tonnes
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199) Haddock IIa (EC Zone) and IV Increase monthly catch limit from 2 to 3 tonnes
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199) Haddock VIIa Increase monthly catch limit from 2 to 3 tonnes
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199) Nephrops IIa (EC Zone) and IV (EC Zone) Increase monthly catch limit from 12 to 15 tonnes
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199) Nephrops Vb (EC Zone) and VI Increase monthly catch limit from 15 to 20 tonnes
Under 10 metres (non-sector) and under 10 metres (sector – Fife FPO) Uncapped (9199)
9110
Herring IVc and VIId Increase monthly catch limit from 2.5 to 3 tonnes
Under 10 metres (non-sector) and under 10 metres (sector – Fife FPO) Uncapped (9199)
9110
Sprats IIa (EC Zone) and IV (EC Zone) Increase monthly catch limit from 5 to 7 tonnes for each vessel in a single week
Over 10 metres (non-sector) 1199 Haddock IIa (EC Zone) and IV Increase monthly catch limit from 500 kg to 1 tonne
Over 10 metres (non-sector) 1199, 3199, and 4199 Nephrops IIa (EC Zone) and IV (EC Zone) Increase monthly catch limit from 12 to 15 tonnes
Over 10 metres (non-sector) 1199 and 3199 Nephrops Vb (EC Zone) and VI Increase monthly catch limit from 9 to 20 tonnes
Over 10 metres (non-sector) 1199 and 1299 Plaice VIId-e Increase monthly catch limit from 250 to 750 kg
Over 10 metres (non-sector) 1199 and 1299 Sole VIId Increase monthly catch limit from 250 kg to 1 tonne
Over 10 metres (non-sector) and over 10 metres (sector – Fife FPO) 1110, 1119 and 1199 Herring IVc and VIId Increase monthly catch limit from 100 to 750 kg
Over 10 metres (non-sector) 1299 Herring VIId Increase monthly catch limit from 100 to 750 kg
Over 10 metres (non-sector) and over 10 metres (sector – Fife FPO and Wales and West Coast FPO) 1110, 1119, 1199, 3199, 4110 and 4199 Sprats IIa (EC Zone) and IV (EC Zone) Increase monthly catch limit from 5 to 7 tonnes for each vessel in a single week

Issued Thursday 21 February 2013

Effective from 00.01 hours, Saturday 23 February 2013
Who is affected Licence type(s) Species Sea area(s) Description of change
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199) Pollack VII Increase monthly catch limit from 7 to 10 tonnes
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199) Plaice VIId-e Increase monthly catch limit from 250 kg to 1 tonne
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Capped (9499) Plaice VIId-e Increase monthly catch limit from 250 to 300 kg

Issued Friday 1 February 2013

Effective from 00.01 hours, Sunday 3 February 2013
Who is affected Licence type(s) Species Sea area(s) Description of change
Scottish Fishermen's Organisation 119 Sole VIIa, VIId, VIIe, VIIf, VIIg Open the fishery
Scottish Fishermen's Organisation 119 and 319 Sole VIIh, VIIj, VIIk Open the fishery
Scottish Fishermen's Organisation 119 Plaice VIIf, VIIg Open the fishery
Scottish Fishermen's Organisation 119 and 319 Plaice VIIh, VIIj, VIIk Open the fishery
Scottish Fishermen's Organisation 119 and 319 Whiting VIIa Open the fishery
Scottish Fishermen's Organisation 119 and 319 Skates and rays VIId Open the fishery

Issued Thursday 31 January 2013

Effective from 00.01 hours, Friday 1 February 2013
Who is affected Licence type(s) Species Sea area(s) Description of change
Thames and Blackwater 2399 Herring   Extend the opening of the fishery until the total allowable catch of 10 tonnes has been taken or in light of advice from the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science following the results of the stock analysis and protection of the spawning areas or on 31 March 2013, whichever is sooner.

Issued Tuesday 29 January 2013

Effective from 00.01 hours, Friday 1 February 2013
Who is affected Licence type(s) Species Sea area(s) Description of change
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199) Haddock VIIa Increase monthly catch limit from 1 to 2 tonnes
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199) Whiting IIa (EC Zone) and IV Increase monthly catch limit from 500 kg to 1 tonne
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199) Saithe VII, VIII, IX, X and CECAF 34.1.1 (EC Zone) Increase monthly catch limit from 200 to 400 kg
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199) Sole VIIf-g Increase monthly catch limit from 1 to 2 tonnes
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Capped (9499) Saithe VII, VIII, IX, X and CECAF 34.1.1 (EC Zone) Increase monthly catch limit from 200 to 300 kg
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199)
Capped (9499)
Plaice VIId-e Increase monthly catch limit from 150 to 250 kg

Issued Thursday 24 January 2013

Effective from 00.01 hours, Friday 25 January 2013
Who is affected Licence type(s) Species Sea area(s) Description of change
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199) Anglerfish VII Increase monthly catch limit from 3.5 to 4 tonnes

Issued Friday 18 January 2013

Effective from 00.01 hours, Tuesday 1 January 2013
Who is affected Licence type(s) Species Sea area(s) Description of change
All over 15 metre vessels Licence schedule types 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 31, 41 and 51.

This only affects licences over 15 metres.
Scallops

King Scallops (Pecten maximus) and Queen Scallops (Aequipecten opercularis)
VII Set limits on the number of effort days from 1 January to 31 March as 40 days – as outlined in paragraphs 6.3.1 and 6.3.2
A variation was issued on 18 January 2013 to the Western Waters licence for 2013 for English, Northern Irish and Welsh vessels, which the MMO issued on 8 January.

This variation has an effective date of 1 January 2013, meaning that the effort limit of 40 days for each vessel applies for the whole of quarter 1 2013.

It also clarifies the management measure on overfishs as a ‘one day for one day’ measure on overfishs between quarters. This means a vessel fishing five days over the quarter 1 allocation could expect to receive a reduction of five days in quarter 2. This would be in addition to any enforcement measures which the MMO might choose to take.

The MMO would like to take this opportunity to apologise for the late issue of the 8 January licence. This was due to an administrative delay.

We will continue to discuss with industry the content of the Western Waters licence and its conditions during 2013. The next meeting of the Scallop Industry Consultation Group will be on 19 March 2013.

Issued Friday 18 January 2013

Effective from 00.01 hours, Saturday 19 January 2013
Who is affected Licence type(s) Species Sea area(s) Description of change
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199) Cod IIa (EC Zone) and IV Increase monthly catch limit from 1 to 1.25 tonnes
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199)
Capped (9499)
Skates and rays IIa (EC Zone) and IV (EC Zone) Increase monthly catch limit from 125 to 250 kg
Under 10 metres (non-sector and Fife Fish Producers' Organisation) Uncapped (9199)
9110
Herring IVc and VIId Increase monthly catch limit from 1 to 2.5 tonnes

Issued Thursday 10 January 2013

Effective from 00.01 hours, Friday 11 January 2013
Who is affected Licence type(s) Species Sea area(s) Description of change
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199) Sole VIId Increase monthly catch limit from 250 kg to 1 tonne
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199) Plaice IIa (EC Zone) and IV Increase monthly catch limit from 250 to 750 kg
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Capped (9499) Sole VIId Increase monthly catch limit from 250 to 300 kg
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Capped (9499) Plaice IIa (EC Zone) and IV Increase monthly catch limit from 250 to 300 kg
Under 10 metres (non-sector) Uncapped (9199)
Capped (9499)
Cod VIIa Increase monthly catch limit from 100 to 200 kg

Issued Monday 7 January 2013

Effective from 00.01 hours, Tuesday 8 January 2013
Who is affected Licence type(s) Species Sea area(s) Description of change
All over 15 metre vessels Licence schedule types 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 31, 41 and 51.

This only affects licences over 15 metres.
Scallops

King Scallops (Pecten maximus) and Queen Scallops (Aequipecten opercularis)
VII Set limits on the number of effort days from 8 January to 31 March as 40 days – as outlined in Paragraph 6.3.1

Issued Friday 28 December 2012

Effective from 00.01 hours, Tuesday 1 January 2013
Who is affected Licence type(s) Species Sea area(s) Description of change
All     Norwegian waters No UK flag vessel authorised to be in Norwegian waters as of 1 January 2013

Negotiations about access between the EU and Norway will not resume before 15 January 2013
Over 10 metres (sector)
111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 117, 118, 119, 1110, 1112, 1114, 1116, 1117, 1118, 1119, 1120, 1121, 1125, 1126, 131, 137, 1325, 1425, 1426, 1625, 163, 312, 317, 317, 3114, 411, 412, 4110, 4114, 4116 and 4120, All All To set the beginning of year openings, closures, and catch limits
Over 10 metres (non-sector) 1123, 1199, 1299, 3123, 3199, 4123 and 4199 All All To set the beginning of year openings, closures, and catch limits
Under 10 metres (sector) 911, 912, 913, 915, 917, 9110, 9114 and 9118 All All To set the beginning of year openings, closures, and catch limits
Under 10 metres (non-sector) 9123, 9199 and 9499 All All To set the beginning of year openings, closures, and catch limits