Fishery operators need to register under new Regulations

On 27 March the Aquatic Animal Health (England and Wales) Regulations 2009 became law. These regulations require all operators of stillwater fisheries that stock or remove fish to register their fishery with the competent authority. In this case, the relevant authority is the Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI), based at Cefas.

Operators who fail to register their fishery by 1 August 2009 will not be granted any Section 30 Consents or removal consents by the Environment Agency until their fishery is registered.

The registration will require a named person - normally the owner, leaseholder, operator or manager - to take responsibility for the waters. That person must provide all reasonable help and access in the event of any fish mortality problem and must report any suspicion of notifiable disease to the FHI.

Registration can be completed in advance, and forms can be obtained from the FHI or online at www.efishbusiness.co.uk/formsandguides/default.asp.

Additional notes

1. The Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI), based at Cefas' Weymouth laboratory, is dedicated to maintaining and improving fish and shellfish health in England and Wales. Its primary role is to act for Defra and the Welsh Assembly Government in undertaking statutory and inspection duties resulting from the EU Fish Health regime and other national legislation in the area of fish and shellfish health. The Inspectorate is responsible for health certification of fish and shellfish movements from other countries, and runs an enforcement programme aimed at preventing the illegal importation of these animals.
2. Under Section 30 of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975, the Environment Agency regulates the movement of fish within all inland waters in England and Wales (other than movements onto authorised aquaculture production businesses (APB)). Before introducing (stocking) any fish (or fish spawn) into inland waters (including all private fisheries and stillwaters), the written consent of the Environment Agency must be obtained. The written consent is usually a one-off "permission" issued for a specified date, site and consignment of fish. This is known as a "Section 30 Consent".
3. Before using fishing instruments (other than rod and line) and removing fish from inland waters, the written consent of the Environment Agency must be obtained. This written consent is usually a one-off "permission" issued for a specified date and site, and is often referred to as "Byelaw Consent". To obtain Byelaw Consent, a national application form (PDF, 130 KB) must be completed.
4. For more information about the new Aquatic Animal Health (England and Wales) Regulations 2009, visit www.efishbusiness.co.uk/news/080627.asp.