Fishing vessel weekly licence variations 21 March 2025

There are no new variations for this week.

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Commercial bluefin tuna fishery 2025 

On 20 March 2025, the MMO will open the application period for the 2025 commercial bluefin tuna (BFT) fishery. 

The UK has a quota allocation of 66 tonnes of bluefin tuna in 2025, from this, 45 tonnes will be used for the commercial fishery. MMO aim to issue licence authorisations for 15 commercial vessels with three tonnes of quota per vessel. The fishery will be open from 1 July to 31 December 2025.  

Applications can be submitted until midnight on the 21 April 2025. Please note applying does not allow you to fish for BFT. You may only fish if you are successful once you have an authorisation. 

You can read more and apply at Bluefin tuna (BFT) commercial fishery within UK waters guidance. 

Faroese Waters access 2025

The United Kingdom and Faroe Islands have now concluded consultations on fisheries arrangements for 2025 and the UK Single Issuing Authority (UKSIA) will soon be able to license vessels under this agreement.

If you have access to fishing opportunities in Faroe Islands waters, you can apply using the application form below.

Please complete the application form and return it to UKSIA@marinemanagement.org.uk.

Applications received by 23 March 2025 will be prioritised for processing, any applications received after this date will still be processed but it may take longer for you to receive your licence. Please be aware that it may take up to 10 days to process any application made and you must not fish in Faroe Island’s waters until you have received a valid licence.

If you have any queries, please contact the UKSIA at UKSIA@marinemanagement.org.uk or call 02080265062, and check the UKSIA website regularly for any updates.

Remote Electronic Monitoring

Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) is now mandatory for any vessel dredging for scallops in Scottish waters, and for Scottish scallop dredge vessels wherever they are fishing. Read the Remote Electronic Monitoring guidance.

The legislation - The Sea Fisheries (Remote Electronic Monitoring and Regulation of Scallop Fishing) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 – also requires REM on relevant pelagic vessels from 7 March 2026. In order to prepare for the new rules coming into force, remote inspections and system test trips can be carried out from 7 September 2025.  Guidance on the pelagic vessel requirements will be published in due course.

Fishing vessel quota limits tables: 2025 - showing the quota limits applicable to 10m and under and over 10m non-sector vessels.

Fisheries closures table: 2025 showing all fisheries closures, by group, for Scottish fishing licences.

Lerwick (Shetland) administered AU (10m and under) vessels

From 1 May 2023, all AU licensed vessels must hail into and out of port to either of the following contacts:

By text is 07771396483. No calls will be answered on the number.

By email: inshoreLK@gov.scot

The following details must be included in your message

• on departure the vessel name, PLN, name of master, port of departure and date/time of departure
• on return the vessel name, PLN, name of master, port of return and date/time of return