Additional rules when fishing in EU waters from 10 January 2026. New rules imposed by the EU come into force on 10 January 2026 that will impact UK industry when fishing in the waters of EU Member States.
These compulsory changes include:
- The marking of passive gears for all vessels.
- Changes in the requirements for completing an electronic logbook for vessels of 12 metres overall length or more.
- Changes to the frequency of VMS reports when fishing in and around restricted areas.
Defra, Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and UK fishing administrations acknowledge this late notification will be an additional burden on industry and have pledged to support impacted fishing vessels.
The EU and its member states have been contacted to ask what their intended enforcement approach will be from January 10. UK Government is still awaiting the response which ultimately rests with each member state within its own waters.
Sean Douglas, Head of Regulatory Assurance, MMO, said:
“We recognise there is already enormous change going on for industry as a result of EU changes and we accept the late notice of this further need will not be helpful as industry will need time to comply fully with the legislation. We want to support industry with the changes and have already approached the EU and members states encouraging them to take a pragmatic approach to enforcement. We must accept though it is for individual member to decide what the decision will be for any vessels entering to fish in their waters.
“We are in the process of updating our guidance on this and will update industry when available.”
Detailed changes include:
- Marking of pots and nets
Articles 12-18 Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2196 (Implementing regulation – 2025/2196 – EN – EUR-Lex) details the new rules on the marking of passive gear required for all vessels, fishing in EU waters outside of the 12nm baselines.
- Nets – Labels must be attached to footropes and to cords linking buoys to the gear, including one on the upper first row.
- Lines – Labels should be attached on the mainline and on each float
- Pots – Labels must be attached to each pot/trap and to cords linking buoys to the gear
- Passive gear extending more than 1 nautical mile – labels attached as above and at regular intervals not exceeding 1 nautical mile.
Labels should meet the following conditions
- They are made of durable material
- They are securely fitted to the gear
- They are clearly readable and identifiable and
- They are not removable, effaced, altered, illegible, covered or concealed.
- Each label should permanently display the external registration letters and numbers (PLN) of the catching vessel to which it belongs.
- Haul by haul catch reporting in EU waters
Article 14 of Council Regulation 2009/1224 (EUR-Lex – 02009R1224-20241011 – EN – EUR-Lex) regarding the completion and submission of the fishing logbook has been amended by Article 1(11) of regulation 2023/2842 (Regulation – EU – 2023/2842 – EN – EUR-Lex)
- Masters of vessels of 12 metres overall length or more are required to complete their electronic logbook for each fishing operation (haul by haul basis) when fishing in EU waters.
The MMO will work with other fisheries administrations to provide more detailed instructions on the specific requirements and update industry as soon as possible.
- Frequency of transmission of vessel position data
Article 23 Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2196 (Implementing regulation – 2025/2196 – EN – EUR-Lex) places a requirement for increased transmission of VMS data from two hours to 30 mins in specific ‘restricted areas’. UK Government is still awaiting the full list of restricted areas from the EU and will be published when available.
The MMO Fisheries Monitoring Centre is working closely with the VMS unit suppliers AST, to come up with a geo-fenced software update so the reporting rate frequency will be changed automatically, and no action will be required from individual vessel operators.
Where fishing activities are conducted within fishing restricted areas, including a 5-mile buffer zone around the fishing restricted area, the reporting frequency will be at least once every 30 minutes.
The fishing restricted areas that have so far been identified that will affect UK vessels are:
- Dogger Bank Marine Protected Areas in Dutch and German waters, specified in the Annex of Commission Regulation 2025/2191 (Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/2191 – EN – EUR-Lex)
- The closed areas for the protection of sensitive habits in Irish waters, specified in Annex II of Council Regulation 2019/1241 (Council Regulation 2019/1241 – EN – EUR-Lex)
Impacted industry needing support can contact their specific fishing administration.
For England MMO on 01900 508618 or info@marinemanagement.org.uk
For Scotland contact the UK FMC on 0131 244 2286 or UKFMC@gov.scot
For Northern Ireland contact 0300 200 7840
For Wales contact 03000 253500 or milfordhavenfisheriesoffice@gov.wales
Image: ©Fish Focus