Defra consultation on measures to control the keeping, release and removal of live fish

Defra want your views on a proposal to replace the current regulatory system, controlling the release of live fish, with a new scheme. They want to regulate all stages of live fish movements – the release, keeping and removal, in certain circumstances. Each stage will clearly allocate accountability to the various parties involved.

This new scheme will allow the Environment Agency to adopt a risk-based approach to regulating live fish movements. Firstly, this will better protect fisheries and the biological diversity of England and Wales. Secondly, it will remove unnecessary administrative burdens on you, the industry.

Also it takes on the regulation of keeping specified non-native species in fisheries and “the wild”. This is currently covered by an order made under the Import of Live Fish Act 1980 (ILFA). Therefore this proposal will mean all movements and keeping of fish - in fisheries and the wild - will be covered by the same regulations.

Click here to view all the Defra consultation documents.