UK Act of Parliament
2020
United Kingdom
Fisheries Act 2020
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
17 compliance obligations, 4 practical guides across 2 topics · 11 statutory instruments
Penalty landscape
5 of 17 obligations carry an unlimited fine. 3 carry different penalties and 9 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Any Person 7
- Landlord 2
- Director or Officer 1
Plus 7 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Direct — cites this Act
1 guidesSupporting — topic alignment
3 guidesOther Acts binding the same actors
For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.
Any Person also bound by 2338 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 169 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 144 duties
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 101 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 95 duties
Landlords also bound by 216 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 2016 74 duties
- Housing Act 1985 1985 53 duties
- Housing Act 1996 1996 30 duties
- The Service Charges (Consultation Requirements) (England) Regulations 2003 2003 27 duties
- The Service Charges (Consultation Requirements) (Wales) Regulations 2004 2004 26 duties
Directors and Officers also bound by 425 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 161 duties
- Companies Act 2006 2006 108 duties
- Insolvency Act 1986 1986 72 duties
- The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 2008 55 duties
- The Housing Administration (England and Wales) Rules 2018 2018 26 duties
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Schedules
Sea fishing licences: further provision
Unlimited fine- Breach of sea‑fishing licence condition Any Person
(1) A sea fish licensing authority may, on granting a...
- Breach of sea fishing licence conditions Any Person
(1) A sea fish licensing authority may require the master,...
- Fail to provide information or provide false information Any Person
(1) This paragraph applies where— (a) a sea fish licensing...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Comply with requests to align sea fishing licence conditions across areas Crown / Minister / Government department
For section 1 (prohibited methods of killing seals) substitute— Prohibition...
- Intentionally or recklessly kill, injure or take a seal Any Person
In section 8 (attempt to commit offence), in subsection (2)—...
Unlimited fine- Use poison, explosive, or explosive articles to fish Any Person
(1) Section 139 (offences) is amended as follows.
Unlimited fine- Contravene fisheries byelaws or orders Any Person
Browse 188 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Regulation of foreign fishing boats
Access and licensing: minor and consequential amendments
Sale of Welsh fishing opportunities
Imposition of charges: powers of devolved authorities
Powers to make further provision: devolved authorities
Conservation of seals
Fisheries statements and management plans: preparation and publication
(1) This Part applies in relation to the preparation and...
(1) Sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) apply in a case within...
(1) Sub-paragraph (2) applies in a case within paragraph 9(1)(a)...
(1) The fisheries policy authorities acting jointly must—
(1) Each of the fisheries policy authorities must—
(1) Sub-paragraph (2) applies where— (a) each fisheries policy authority...
(1) This Part applies in relation to the preparation and...
(1) The Secretary of State must— (a) prepare a draft...
(1) The Secretary of State must— (a) specify a period...
(1) Sub-paragraph (2) applies where the Secretary of State has—...
(1) This Part applies in relation to—
(1) The Scallops (Irish Sea) (Prohibition of Fishing) Order 1984...
(1) The Prohibition of Fishing with Multiple Trawls Order 2003...
(1) The Prohibition of Fishing with Multiple Trawls (Wales) Order...
(1) The South-west Territorial Waters (Prohibition of Pair Trawling) Order...
(1) The Tope (Prohibition of Fishing) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/691)...
(1) The Shrimp Fishing Nets (Wales) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1811...
(1) The Tope (Prohibition of Fishing) (Wales) Order 2008 (S.I....
(1) The Scallop Fishing (Wales) (No 2) Order 2010 (S.I....
(1) The Cockles and Mussels (Specified Area) (Wales) Order 2011...
(1) The Scallop Fishing (England) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2283) is...
(1) The Scallop Dredging Operations (Tracking Devices) (Wales) Order 2012...
(1) The Undersized Velvet Crabs Order 1989 (S.I. 1989/919) is...
(1) The Specified Crustaceans (Prohibition on Fishing, Landing, Sale and...
(1) The Whelk Fishing (Wales) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/1042 (W.184))...
(1) The Lobsters and Crawfish (Prohibition of Fishing and Landing)...
(1) The Sea Fish (Specified Sea Areas) (Regulation of Nets...
(1) The Prohibition of Fishing for Scallops (Scotland) Order 2003...
(1) The Shrimp Fishing Nets (Scotland) Order 2004 (S.S.I. 2004/261)...
(1) The Sharks, Skates and Rays (Prohibition of Fishing, Trans-shipment...
(1) The Regulation of Scallop Fishing (Scotland) Order 2017 (S.S.I....
(1) The Prohibition of Fishing with Multiple Trawls (Scotland) Order...
(1) The Specified Crustaceans (Prohibition on Landing, Sale and Carriage)...
(1) The Sea Fish (Specified Sea Area) (Regulation of Nets...
(1) The Sea Fish (Prohibited Methods of Fishing) (Firth of...
(1) The Inshore Fishing (Prohibition of Fishing and Fishing Methods)...
(1) The Razor Shells (Prohibition of Fishing) Regulations (Northern Ireland)...
(1) The Crabs and Lobsters (Minimum Size) Order (Northern Ireland)...
(1) The Conservation of Scallops Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R....
(1) The Edible Crabs (Conservation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (S.R....
(1) The Edible Crabs (Undersized) Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 (S.R....
(1) The Lobsters and Crawfish (Prohibition of Fishing and Landing)...
(1) The Undersized Edible Crabs Order 2000 (S.I. 2000/2029) is...
(1) The Sea Fish (Specified Sea Areas) (Regulation of Nets...
(1) The Prohibition of Fishing with Multiple Trawls Order 2001...
(1) The Shrimp Fishing Nets Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/2870) is...
(1) The Shellfish (Specified Sea Area) (Prohibition of Fishing Methods)...
(1) A sea fish licensing authority may from time to...
A sea fish licensing authority may exercise its licensing functions...
(1) A sea fish licensing authority may make arrangements for...
(1) The relevant national authority may by regulations make provision—...
(1) Provision which could be included in regulations made by...
In this Schedule “licensing function” means a function of a...
Section 17 of the Sea Fish Industry Act 1962 (exemption...
(1) The Government of Wales Act 2006 is amended as...
(1) The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 is amended...
The Sea Fish (Specified Manx Waters) Licensing Order 1990 (S.I....
(1) The Sea Fish Licensing Order 1992 (S.I. 1992/2633) is...
(1) The Sea Fish Licensing (Time at Sea) (Principles) Order...
(1) The Sea Fishing (Licences and Notices) Regulations 1994 (S.I....
(1) The Scotland Act (Agency Arrangements) (Specification) Order 1999 (S.I....
(1) The Scotland Act 1998 (Concurrent Functions) Order 1999 (S.I....
(1) The Sea Fishing (Licences and Notices) (Scotland) Regulations 2011...
(1) The Sea Fishing (Licences and Notices) (England) Regulations 2012...
(1) The Sea Fisheries Act 1968 is amended as follows....
(1) The Sea Fishing (Licences and Notices) Regulations (Northern Ireland)...
The Sea Fish Licensing (England) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/647) is...
The Sea Fish Licensing (Wales) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/507 (W....
The Sea Fishing (Licences and Notices) (Wales) Regulations 2019 (S.I....
The Sea Fish Licensing (England) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I....
The Sea Fish Licensing (Foreign Vessels) (EU Exit) (Scotland) Order...
The Sea Fishing (Licences and Notices) (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2019...
The Fishing Boats Designation (EU Exit) (Scotland) Order 2019 (S.S.I....
(1) Sub-paragraph (2) applies to a licence granted, and not...
(1) Sub-paragraph (2) applies to a licence granted, and not...
(1) Section 2 of the Fishery Limits Act 1976 (access...
(1) Regulations made under section 4B of the Sea Fish...
(1) This paragraph applies where any provision of this Act...
The following orders were made (or have effect as if...
The Fishery Limits Act 1976 (Guernsey) Order 1989 (S.I. 1989/2407)...
(1) The Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967 is amended as...
In the Fishery Limits Act 1976, omit section 3 (which...
In the Fisheries Act 1981, omit section 20 (which amends...
In the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1992, omit section 1...
The Welsh Ministers may by regulations make provision for the...
A right to use a Welsh catch or effort quota...
The regulations may include provision— (a) for rights to be...
The Welsh Ministers must exercise their functions so as to...
Before making regulations under this Schedule the Welsh Ministers must...
Regulations under this Schedule are subject to the affirmative resolution...
In this Schedule— “Welsh catch quota” means so much of...
Financial assistance: powers of devolved authorities
(1) The Scottish Ministers may give financial assistance, or arrange...
(1) The Welsh Ministers may give financial assistance, or arrange...
(1) The Northern Ireland department may give financial assistance, or...
(1) In the Fisheries Act 1981— (a) omit Part 2...
(1) The following schemes made under section 15 of the...
(1) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations make provision for...
(1) The Welsh Ministers may by regulations make provision for...
(1) The Northern Ireland department may by regulations make provision...
(1) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations make provision—
(1) Before making regulations under paragraph 6 or 8 the...
(1) The Northern Ireland department may by regulations make provision—...
(1) In paragraph 11 and this paragraph— “regional fisheries management...
(1) The Northern Ireland department may by regulations make provision...
(1) Regulations under paragraph 11 or 13 may—
(1) Before making regulations under paragraph 11 or 13 the...
(1) In paragraph 1 and this paragraph— “regional fisheries management...
(1) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations make provision for...
(1) Regulations under paragraph 1 or 3 may—
(1) Before making regulations under paragraph 1 or 3 the...
(1) The Welsh Ministers may by regulations make provision—
(1) In paragraph 6 and this paragraph— “regional fisheries management...
(1) The Welsh Ministers may by regulations make provision for...
(1) Regulations under paragraph 6 or 8 may—
The Conservation of Seals Act 1970 is amended in accordance...
In section 11 (entry upon land)— (a) in subsection (1),...
Omit section 14 (orders).
In section 15 (interpretation), at the appropriate places insert— “explosive...
The Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 (1985/171 (N.I. 2)) is...
In Article 10 (protection of certain wild animals), in paragraph...
In Article 11 (exceptions to Article 10)—
In Article 18 (power to grant licences), after paragraph (3)...
In Schedule 5 (animals which are protected at all times),...
In Schedule 6 (animals which may not be killed or...
In Schedule 7 (animals which may not be sold alive...
Omit section 2 (close seasons for seals).
Omit section 3 (orders prohibiting killing seals).
In section 4 (apprehension of offenders and powers of search...
In section 6 (forfeitures), for the words from “any seal...
In section 9 (general exceptions)— (a) in subsection (1)—
In section 10 (power to grant licences)—
Amendments of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009
The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 is amended as...
In section 129 (byelaws for protections of MCZs in England),...
After section 129 insert— Byelaws relating to exploitation of sea...
(1) Section 130 (byelaws: procedure) is amended as follows.
(1) Section 131 (emergency byelaws) is amended as follows.
(1) Section 132 (interim byelaws) is amended as follows.
(1) Section 133 (further provision) is amended as follows.
In the italic heading before section 134, for “protection of...
After section 134 insert— Orders relating to exploitation of sea...
(1) Section 135 (consultation) is amended as follows.
(1) Section 136 (interim orders) is amended as follows.
(1) Section 24 (research) is amended as follows.
(1) Section 137 (further provision) is amended as follows.
After section 137 insert— Orders for marine conservation: Scottish offshore...
(1) Section 138 (hearings) is amended as follows.
In section 141 (exceptions), in subsection (1)(c)(i), for “or 134(4)”...
In section 142 (fixed monetary penalties), in subsection (1), omit...
(1) Section 147 (interpretation) is amended as follows.
In section 166 (powers of IFC officers), in subsection (1)(e),...
In section 189 (power of Welsh Ministers in relation to...
(1) Section 237 (enforcement of nature conservation legislation) is amended...
(1) Section 25 (advice, assistance and training facilities) is amended...
In section 238(3), after paragraph (d) insert—
(1) Section 316 (regulations and orders) is amended as follows....
(1) In the Water Resources Act 1991, in Schedule 25,...
(1) Section 26 (provision of information etc) is amended as...
In section 27 (power to charge for services), in subsection...
The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 is amended in...
In the heading of Chapter 1 of Part 5, after...
(1) Section 117 (grounds for designation of MCZs) is amended...
In the italic heading before section 129, for “protection of...
Retained direct EU legislation: minor and consequential amendments
In this Schedule— (a) paragraphs 2 to 13 make amendments...
(1) Regulation (EU) 2019/472 of the European Parliament and of...
(1) Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 of the European Parliament and of...
(1) Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2238 specifying details of implementation...
(1) Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2239 specifying details of the...
In Council Regulation (EU) 2020/123 fixing for 2020 the fishing...
(1) This paragraph applies until the first JFS comes into...
(1) In the Sea Fishing (EU Recording and Reporting Requirements)...
(1) The Common Fisheries Policy Regulation is amended as follows....
In Regulation (EU) No 1379/2013 of the European Parliament and...
(1) Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1393/2014 establishing a discard...
(1) Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1395/2014 establishing a discard...
In Regulation (EU) 2016/2336 of the European Parliament and of...
(1) Regulation (EU) 2017/1004 of the European Parliament and of...
Regulation (EU) 2017/2403 of the European Parliament and of the...
(1) Regulation (EU) 2018/973 of the European Parliament and of...
Joint fisheries statement
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Fisheries policy authorities must publish a Joint Fisheries Statement Crown / Minister / Government department
Fisheries management plans: duty to comply with proposals in JFS
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Fisheries policy authorities must publish fisheries management plans Crown / Minister / Government department
Access to British fisheries by foreign fishing boats
Unlimited fine- Use a foreign fishing boat in UK waters without a valid licence Any Person
British fishing boats required to be licensed
- Ensure your British fishing boat is licensed before fishing Landlord
Foreign fishing boats required to be licensed if within British fishery limits
- Foreign fishing boats must be licensed to fish in UK waters Landlord
Offences by bodies corporate etc
Unlimited fine- Director or partner liable when company breaches a fisheries offence Director or Officer
Duties relating to a determination of fishing opportunities
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must consult and notify on fishing opportunity decisions Crown / Minister / Government department
Distribution of fishing opportunities
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Fisheries authorities must use fair and green criteria to distribute quotas Crown / Minister / Government department
Duties to ensure fishing opportunities not exceeded
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Fisheries authorities must ensure catch and effort quotas are not exceeded Crown / Minister / Government department
Procedural requirements for regulations under section 36 or 38
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must consult and follow strict procedures for fish regulations Crown / Minister / Government department
Browse 45 other sections — procedural / definitional / commencement
Fisheries objectives
Joint fisheries statement: procedure
Secretary of State fisheries statement
Secretary of State fisheries statement: procedure
Fisheries management plans: power to depart from proposals in JFS
Fisheries management plans: procedure
Fisheries management plans: transitional provision
Effect of fisheries statements and fisheries management plans
Reports on fisheries statements and fisheries management plans
Regulation of foreign fishing boats
Power to grant licences in respect of British fishing boats
Power to grant licences in respect of foreign fishing boats
Further provision about licences
Penalties for offences
Jurisdiction of court to try offences
Minor and consequential amendments
Power of Secretary of State to determine fishing opportunities
Sale of English fishing opportunities
Discard prevention charging schemes
Meaning of “chargeable person” and “unauthorised catch of sea fish”
Catches subject to a charge ignored for certain regulatory purposes
Charge collectors
Discard prevention charging schemes: supplementary provision
Financial assistance: powers of Secretary of State
Charges: powers of Marine Management Organisation
Sea Fish Industry Authority: fees for services provided for industry in EU
Power to make provision about fisheries, aquaculture etc
Section 36: interpretation
Power to make provision about aquatic animal diseases
Scope of regulations under section 36 or 38
Scope of regulations under section 36 or 38 where consent obtained
Powers of Scottish Ministers, Welsh Ministers and NI department
Agency arrangements between sea fish licensing authorities
Foreign fishing boats that are exclusively Faroe Islands-regulated
Legislative competence of Senedd Cymru
Interpretation of Welsh legislation
Conservation of Seals
Amendments of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009
Retained direct EU legislation: minor and consequential amendments
Amendments that could have been made under existing powers
Regulations
Interpretation
Extent
Commencement
Short title
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- MCA: fishing vessel safety codes (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- GOV.UK: registering a fishing vessel (opens in a new tab) from MCA Detailed Guidance
- GOV.UK: understand your fishing vessel licence (opens in a new tab) from MMO Detailed Guidance
- HSE: fishing (opens in a new tab) from HSE Detailed Guidance
- GOV.UK: commercial fishing and fisheries (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Small fishing vessel safety code (opens in a new tab) from MCA Publication
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
Environment Agency
PrimaryEnvironmental protection in England. Regulates waste, emissions, water quality, flood risk, and environmental permits for industrial activities. Enforces environmental law and issues …
Marine Management Organisation
Licenses marine activities in English waters, including construction, dredging, and deposits at sea. Issues marine licences for offshore renewable energy projects below …
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Government department responsible for environmental protection, food production and standards, agriculture, fisheries, and rural communities. Sets environmental policy and works with agencies …
Connected legislation
11 statutory instruments
These instruments amend, apply, or refer to this Act. They may not all create direct business obligations.
Secondary legislation (11)
- The Fisheries Act 2020 (Scheme for Financial Assistance) (England) Regulations 2021 2021
- The Sea Fisheries (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023 2023
- The Sea Fisheries (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2025 2025
- The Sea Fisheries (Amendment ) (No. 2) Regulations 2021 2021
- The Sea Fisheries (Amendment ) Regulations 2021 2021
- The Sea Fisheries (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2024 2024
- The Sea Fisheries (Amendment) Regulations 2022 2022
- The Sea Fisheries (Amendment) Regulations 2023 2023
- The Sea Fisheries (Amendment) Regulations 2024 2024
- The Sea Fisheries (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2024 2024
- The Sea Fisheries (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 2024
Explore more
Browse legislation
Find other UK business legislation with related guidance.
Regulators
Learn more about the bodies that enforce this legislation.