GUIDANCE TO BUYERS OF FIRST-SALE FISHERIES PRODUCTS

Guidance to buyers of first-sale fisheries products.  The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is reminding buyers of first-sale fisheries products, including restaurants and fish shops, of their legal obligations. First-sale fisheries products are those purchased directly from a commercial fishing vessel.

Members of the public may purchase up to 10kg of fisheries products per day directly from a commercial fishing vessel for their own personal consumption. However, these products cannot be resold.

Any individual or business purchasing fisheries products directly from a commercial fishing vessel for onward sale, including restaurants, fish shops, and other retailers, must register with the SFPA as a fish buyer and submit sales notes.

Sales notes are documents that record key information about the fisheries products to ensure traceability.

Registration as a fish buyer is a distinct process from registration as a Food Business Operator (FBO) for food safety purposes. Restaurants and other businesses retailing fisheries products directly to the final consumer are required to be registered with the Health Service Executive (HSE), but they are not required to be registered as an FBO with the SFPA. This does not affect the obligation to register with the SFPA as a fish buyer if the business is buying fisheries product directly from a commercial fishing vessel.

In addition to registration and sales note requirements, buyers must also comply with applicable labelling and weighing requirements. These requirements do not apply to members of the public purchasing fish directly from a vessel for their own personal consumption.

Restaurants and other businesses purchasing fisheries products from commercial fishing vessels are reminded to:

• Register with the SFPA as a fish buyer
• Submit sales notes for all fisheries products purchased directly from fishing vessels via the FishingNet portal
• Comply with traceability and labelling requirements
• Ensure fisheries products are weighed on landing using SFPA-approved weighing systems

Guidance on completing and submitting sales notes is available in the relevant Fisheries Information Notice (FIN): FIN Sales Notes

 Commercial fishing vessel operators are reminded that they may only sell fisheries products to registered buyers, producer organisations or auction centres, except when they are selling up to 10kg per day directly to members of the public for personal consumption. Vessel operators are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the relevant FIN on Commercial Vessels or Aquaculture Producers Selling Directly to the Final Customer.

For assistance or further details please contact: sfpafood&fisheriessupport@sfpa.ie

Image: SFPA

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