Marine and fisheries compliance: submission of paper logbooks and declarations

UK recording and reporting requirements

The UK requires the recording and reporting of data relating to fishing activity undertaken by UK vessels (and all vessels in UK waters) and to the landing and first sale of fishery products in the UK. These requirements are currently set out in various pieces of assimilated UK legislation:

• Council Regulations 2017/2403 and 1224/2009
• Commission Regulations 404/2011 and 201/2010

Any contravention of these requirements is a criminal offence by virtue of the Sea Fishing (EU Recording and Reporting Requirements) (Scotland) Order 2010 (SSI 2010/334). The UK requires those who meet certain criteria to record and report data by electronic means. Those who are not subject to an electronic recording and reporting requirement must record and report data in written/paper form. This guidance details the methods by which fisheries data, in written/paper form, must be submitted or sent to the Scottish Ministers for the purposes of article 3(2)(a) of SSI 2010/334.

Who must submit paper logbooks and declarations

(1) Paper logbooks, transhipment declarations and landing declarations must be submitted by those who are not required by Articles 15, 22 and 24 of assimilated Council Regulation (EC) No. 1224/2009 to send logbook, transhipment and landing data by electronic means.

Electronic logbooks, transhipment declarations and landing declarations have been required from vessels with an overall length of 12 metres or more since January 2012.

(2) Paper sales notes and take-over declarations must be submitted by those registered fish buyers and sellers who are not required by Article 63 and 67 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1224/2009 to transmit sales note or take-over declaration data by electronic means.

Electronic sales notes and take-over declarations are required from registered buyers and sellers with an annual financial turnover in first sales of fishery products in excess of £175,000.

(3) Copies of transport documents must be submitted by transporters of fishery products in accordance with Article 68 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1224/2009.

Methods of submitting paper logbooks and declarations

Paper logbooks, transhipment and landing declarations, sales notes, take-over declarations and copy transport documents must be submitted to the Scottish Ministers by using one of the following methods:

(1) Handing them in at a local Fishery Office (contact details for local Fishery Offices are available online)

(2) Depositing them in a box marked for this purpose at the port of landing

(3) Handing them to a British Sea Fishery officer

Methods of giving prior notification by vessels not equipped with an electronic logbook software system

Those who do not operate an electronic logbook, and are not required by Article 17 of assimilated Council Regulation (EC) No. 1224/2009 to give electronic prior notification, must give prior notification (as required) to the UK Fisheries Monitoring Centre by using one of the following methods:

(1) Telephone: +44 (0)131 244 2286

(2) E-mail: UKFMC@gov.scot

Fisheries Division
Marine Directorate
Area 1B South
Victoria Quay
EDINBURGH
EH6 6QQ