Support for our Fishermen
What is happening?
From 10 January 2026, all fishermen and exporters will be required to provide additional information for seafood leaving the UK. With just weeks to go you need to act early to familiarise and adopt the changes, to ensure you can provide your buyer, with the appropriate information.
How these changes affect you?
Much of the seafood caught by UK vessels is exported abroad with around 75 per cent of this going to the EU, or other relevant countries. Exporters will be required to provide this information if they are exporting consignments of fish or seafood overseas. Even if you do not export directly, you need to be aware of the changes as they may impact your ability to sell your produce on.
Some fish and shellfish produce are excluded from the definition of ‘fishery products’ and do not need an IUU document for export. This includes scallops, muscles, clams, cockles, ark shells and oysters. Flours, meals and pellets of fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates intended for human consumption are also exempt. Please check for a full list of exemptions with the competent authority of the import country.
What is changing – Catch Certificate
From 10 January 2026 the following additional information is required for the Catch Certificate:
- The start date of the fishing trip
- The gear type used
- Information relating to the first mode of transport leaving the UK
- The area of catch (which exclusive economic zone (EEZ) the catch occurred in, if any catching took place in the high seas and whether there is interest from a regional fisheries management organisation (RFMO)).
These changes have already been introduced for you to start using.
We are urging everyone in the supply chain to begin adopting these changes as soon as possible to prepare for January changes. Exporters will be requiring information from fishermen to complete the catch certificate. Without it they will not be able to export so please provide your buyer with all the information needed.
Action: Act Now! Get on Board!
Adopt the new changes as soon as you are able. While the new IUU requirements do not come into force until 10 January 2026, UK fishing authorities strongly advise you to familiarise yourself with the updates as they appear in FES and start to provide the relevant information ahead of time.
Discuss these changes with your buyer to ensure that the required information is understood and supplied. On 10 January 2026 this information will be an EU mandatory requirement and without it, you will not be able to complete your application for export documentation.
These changes are set out in the EU’s illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing regulations. They are separate to, and unaffected by, the outcomes of the UK-EU reset deal of May 2025.
You can read more in the EU Frequently Asked Questions document.
MMO is working with all UK fishing authorities to make sure all parties understand the changes and how they may be affected.
How we are supporting you
UK fishing authorities have published new guidance explaining these changes.
We have published some FAQs to help you understand what you need to do and why.
We are holding a series of online webinars for you to attend to learn more about the new changes. You can find out about dates and how to sign up here.
Please remember #FishTraceShip and get onboard with the changes.
Other changes
Processing Statement
NEW: A new Processing Statement is now live in the FES system.
From 10 January 2026, a Processing Statement will be required for ALL seafood caught by UK vessels and subsequently processed after landing in the UK. Processing Statements will also need to show the weights of each type of seafood that has contributed to each processed product.
‘Processed’ means any seafood that has been cut, filleted, canned, smoked, salted, cooked, pickled, dried, or otherwise prepared for market. Fish which has only been frozen and/or packed will not require a Processing Statement.
Whilst completing a processing statement may not be relevant to you it is important you are aware of the change.
Catch Certificate Data Upload users
For users of the data upload feature to create their catch certificates, there is now a new version of the csv file to include start date of the fishing trip, gear type used and area of catch information. The FES service will accept both the current csv file structure and the new version until January 2026, when use of the new version will become mandatory.
We have issued detailed guidance to support data upload users and publishing this on our Gov.uk pages.
Storage Document
Changes have now been made to the storage document application form. Additional fields have been added, which will remain optional to complete until January 2026. The storage document will also be renamed to non-manipulation document in January 2026 at which point the updated PDF template will be released
From 10 January, when a consignment is split into sub-consignments before export, each sub-consignment must have its own non-manipulation document.
The use of the new Storage Document fields is currently voluntary but will be mandatory from 10 January 2026. If the relevant information is not provided and passed on to the exporter, you may not be able to sell your produce to the exporter, you may not be able to sell your produce.