Publication - Advice and guidance

Marine and fisheries compliance: electronic logbook guidance

Last updated: 30 March 2022 - see all updates
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Part of: Marine and fisheries

An electronic logbook is software that has been installed on board your vessel to record and submit data on your fishing activities, data that is currently recorded in your paper logbook. Electronic logbooks will eventually replace paper logbooks.

Council Regulations 1966/2006, 1006/2008 and 1224/2009 and Commission Regulations 1077/2008 and 201/2010, implemented by the Sea Fishing (EU Recording and Reporting Requirements) (Scotland) Order 2010 (SSI 2010/334), require Scottish vessels (when operating in Scottish, EU and third country waters) to record and report fishing activity data electronically. As a result, electronic logbooks are being introduced.

What are electronic logbooks?

Why do I need an electronic logbook?

Where can I find approved systems?

More information is available in the Approved Systems web page.

What is the timescale?

Vessels with an overall length of 24 metres or more - 01 January 2010
Vessels over 15 metres overall length operating outside EU waters - 01 January 2011
Vessels with an overall length of 15 metres or more - 01 July 2011
Vessels with an overall length of 12 metres or more - 01 January 2012

Use of paper logbooks

If you are adopting electronic logbooks prior to the dates outlined above, you will need to inform Marine Scotland Compliance. Each vessel will need to complete a pre-registration form to allow access to the UK ERS Hub and to ensure the availability of grant aid.

Vessels that are not subject to (and have not opted to comply early with) EU electronic logbook requirements should continue to submit their paper logbooks by:

Handing them in to a local Fishery Office
Depositing them in a box marked for this purpose at the port of landing, or
Handing them to a British Sea Fishery Officer

Access to electronic logbook data

All fishing activity data submitted electronically may be viewed by Marine Scotland Compliance. Primary vessel owners can also register on their systems, allowing them to view activity data for their vessels over an internet browser. The primary vessel owner can set up other users to view and administer their vessel activity data (Producer Organisations or Agents). For further details and to manage that set-up, please contact your local Fishery Office in the first instance, or the Marine Monitoring Centre.

How do I acquire electronic logbook software on board my vessel?

Once you have chosen your software, arrange a date for installation with your supplier.

Once the supplier's engineer installs the software on your vessel, they will request a same-day confirmation from us that the system is working. Your vessel's details will be added to the list of compliant vessels which is on the Marine Scotland website.

Why do I have to purchase software approved by the UK Fisheries Administrations in order to be compliant?

Approved software has been through an extensive testing process commissioned by the UK Fisheries Administrations' testing agent, National Computer Centre Group. This is to ensure that it meets the published specification required to communicate with the central system - the UK Hub.

What if the system fails at sea?

In the event of the vessel becoming incapable of submitting electronic logs, the skipper should call the UK Fisheries Monitoring Centre and report the daily catch. This will then be manually updated on the system. The UK Fisheries Monitoring Centre (UKFMC) contact details are:

Telephone: +44 (0)131 271 9700
Email: UKFMC@gov.scot
Fax: +44 (0)131 244 6471

The vessel should repair any faults on return to land and before its next voyage, or demonstrate best efforts to do so. Where on board software fails at sea and it is not possible to contact the UKFMC, the vessel should return to port.