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 , Head of Compliance, 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:
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
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:
