A fishing gear focused view of restrictions in UK waters. See restrictions in your area and filter to your method of fishing. View, share and download to your plotter.

Built primarily for commercial fishers, this service ensures fishers are more aware of and can comply with fishing restrictions in UK waters. Marine fishing restrictions applicable to fishing gear use have been included from all regulators which manage and enforce fishing activity within the UK Exclusive Economic Zone.
This will enable you to confidently answer the question ‘Can I fish here?’
<div class="tick-lists">
<ul class="ticks green-tick">
<li>This service includes restrictions that:</li>
<li class="tick">Relate to type of fishing gear</li>
<li class="tick">Relate to commercial fishing</li>
<li class="tick">Are legislative (legally enforceable)</li>
<li class="tick">Are within the sea i.e. submerged at Mean High Water Springs (MHWS) and within the Normal Tidal Limit (NTL)</li>
</ul>
<ul class="ticks red-tick">
<li>This service does not include:</li>
<li class="tick">Species restrictions e.g. minimum size</li>
<li class="tick">Catch limitations</li>
<li class="tick">Temporary, Advisory or Emergency restrictions</li>
<li class="tick">Recreational restrictions</li>
<li class="tick">Mesh size or engine power limits where no other restriction applies</li>
</ul>
</div>
Using the quick start filters, you can view and download restrictions relevant to your operation, whether this is by fishing gear type, location, seasonality or vessel size. All fishing gear types have been identified from FAO gear classifications and are named accordingly.

About this service

This is the only resource which consolidates all commercial fishing gear restrictions for the whole of the UK. Coverage includes all regulatory authorities.

VIEW all UK fishing restrictions in one place

This dataset is available free of charge and we encourage you to share the information with your peers via WhatsApp, social media and email.

SHARE restriction information 

Restrictions are available to download for use at sea on fishing plotters. Plotter files are categorised by fishing gear type.