NORTHEAST ATLANTIC SOUTHERN REGION 2025 FISHERIES ADVISORY
NORTHEAST ATLANTIC FISHERIES ADVISORY REGIONS
ADVISORY KEY
TARGETING
The action of deliberately targeting a certain species.
CLOSED SEASON
A period when retaining is prohibited to protect a vulnerable species.
SIZE LIMIT
A min. or max. size at which a species cannot be retained. Local legislation may apply.
CATCH LIMIT
A limit on the quantity that can be retained and landed.
RETAINING
The act of keeping a species that has been caught. Chart colour denotes retaining.
RECORD SEPARATELY
The species must be recorded separately in the vessel’s logbook.
DISCARDING
Promptly and carefully returning a species to the sea.
TRANSHIPPING
The action of transferring catches between vessels at sea.
SELLING
Selling or offering for sale a species caught in this area.
Angelshark
Basking Shark
Birdbeak Dogfish
Black Dogfish
Blue Shark
Bluntnose Sixgill Shark
Deep-water Catsharks
Frilled Shark
Great Lanternshark
Greenland Shark
Gulper Shark
Kitefin Shark
Knifetooth Dogfish
Leafscale Gulper Shark
Longnose Velvet Dogfish
SHARKS SKATES AND RAYS
Mouse Catshark
Nursehound
Porbeagle
Portuguese Dogfish
Sailfin Roughshark
Shortfin Mako
Smallspotted Catshark
Smoothhound
Smooth Lanternshark
Starry Smoothhound
Spurdog
Big-eye Thesher
Thesher Shark
Tope
Velvet Belly Lanternshark
ADDITIONAL CONTENT
Atlantic Torpedo Ray
Black (Norwegian) Skate
Blonde Ray
Blue Skate
Common Stingray
Cuckoo Ray
Flapper Skate
Longnose Skate
Sandy Ray
Shagreen Ray
Small-eyed Ray
Spotted Ray
Starry Ray
Thornback Ray
Undulate Ray
White Skate
Targeting prohibited
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
Retaining prohibited
Record discards separately
Discarding required
Transhipping prohibited
FISHERIES ADVISORY
Selling prohibited
www.sharktrust.org/fisheries-advisories enquiries@sharktrust.org | +44 (0)1752 672020
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting prohibited
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
Retaining prohibited
Record discards separately
Discarding required
Transhipping prohibited
Selling prohibited
www.sharktrust.org/fisheries-advisories
Targeting prohibited
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
Record discards separately
Discarding required
Transhipping prohibited
Retaining prohibited No legal catches
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting prohibited
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
Retaining prohibited
Record discards separately
Discarding required
Transhipping prohibited
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting prohibited
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit
Retaining permitted
Record separately
Discarding prohibited
Transhipping prohibited
Selling permitted
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting prohibited
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
Retaining prohibited
Record discards separately
Discarding required
Transhipping prohibited
www.sharktrust.org/fisheries-advisories
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting prohibited
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
Retaining prohibited
Record discards separately
Discarding required
Transhipping prohibited
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting prohibited
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
Record discards separately
Discarding required
Transhipping prohibited
Retaining prohibited No legal catches
www.sharktrust.org/fisheries-advisories
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting prohibited
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
Retaining prohibited
Record discards separately
Discarding required
Transhipping prohibited
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting prohibited
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
Retaining prohibited
Record discards separately
Discarding required
Transhipping prohibited
www.sharktrust.org/fisheries-advisories
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting prohibited
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
Retaining prohibited
Record discards separately
Discarding required
Transhipping prohibited
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting prohibited
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
Retaining prohibited
Record discards separately
Discarding required
Transhipping prohibited
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting prohibited
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
Retaining prohibited
Record discards separately
Discarding required
Transhipping prohibited
www.sharktrust.org/fisheries-advisories
Illustration © Marc Dando
LEAFSCALE GULPER SHARK
Targeting prohibited
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
Retaining prohibited
Record discards separately
Discarding required
Transhipping prohibited
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting prohibited
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
Retaining prohibited
Record discards separately
Discarding required
Transhipping prohibited
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting prohibited
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
Retaining prohibited
Record discards separately
Discarding required
Transhipping prohibited
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting permitted
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
Retaining permitted
Over 10m
Record seperately if > 50kgs live weight
Under 10m Always record seperately
Discarding permitted
Transhipping prohibited
Selling permitted
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting prohibited
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
Retaining prohibited
Record discards separately
Discarding required
Transhipping prohibited
www.sharktrust.org/fisheries-advisories
Targeting prohibited
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
Retaining prohibited
Record discards separately
Discarding required
Transhipping prohibited
www.sharktrust.org/fisheries-advisories
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting prohibited
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
Retaining prohibited
Record discards separately
Discarding required
Transhipping prohibited
www.sharktrust.org/fisheries-advisories enquiries@sharktrust.org | +44 (0)1752 672020
Targeting prohibited
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
Retaining prohibited
Record discards separately
Discarding required
Transhipping prohibited
www.sharktrust.org/fisheries-advisories enquiries@sharktrust.org
Targeting permitted
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
SMALLSPOTTED CATSHARK
Retaining permitted
Over 10m
Record seperately if > 50kgs live weight
Under 10m Always record seperately
Discarding permitted
Transhipping prohibited
Selling permitted
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting permitted
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
Retaining permitted
Over 10m
Record seperately if > 50kgs live weight
Under 10m
Always record seperately
Discarding permitted
Transhipping prohibited
Selling permitted
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting permitted Except in VIII
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
Retaining permitted
Except VIII
Record discards separately in VIII
Discarding permitted
Transhipping prohibited
Selling permitted
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting permitted
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
Retaining permitted
Over 10m
Record seperately if > 50kgs live weight
Under 10m
Always record seperately
Discarding permitted
Transhipping prohibited
Selling
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting permitted
Closed season not applicable
Size limit
Max 100 cm
Catch limit
Retaining permitted
Except > 100 cm
Record separately
Discarding prohibited
Except > 100 cm
Transhipping prohibited
Selling permitted
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting prohibited
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
Retaining prohibited
Record discards separately
Discarding required
Transhipping prohibited
Selling prohibited
www.sharktrust.org/fisheries-advisories
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting prohibited
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
Retaining permitted
Record separately
Discarding permitted
Transhipping prohibited
Selling permitted
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting permitted, except with longlines in VIII
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Outside 6NM
Catch limit ENG & WAL
Max 45 kg per day
Retaining permitted, except with longlines in VIII
Record separately
Discarding permitted
Transhipping prohibited
Selling permitted
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting prohibited
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
Retaining prohibited
Record discards separately
Discarding required
Transhipping prohibited
Targeting permitted
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
Retaining permitted
Record separately
Discarding permitted
Transhipping prohibited
Selling permitted
www.sharktrust.org/fisheries-advisories
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting prohibited
Except X
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
Retaining prohibited
Except X
Record discards separately in VIII & IX
Discarding permitted
Transhipping prohibited
Selling prohibited
www.sharktrust.org/fisheries-advisories
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting prohibited
Except X
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit
Retaining prohibited
Except X
Record separately
Discarding permitted
Transhipping prohibited
Selling permitted
www.sharktrust.org/fisheries-advisories
Illustration © Marc Dando
Dipturus batis
Targeting prohibited
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Outside 6NM
Catch limit not applicable
Retaining prohibited
Record discards separately
Discarding required
Transhipping prohibited
Selling prohibited
www.sharktrust.org/fisheries-advisories
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting permitted
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
Retaining permitted
Record separately
Discarding permitted
Transhipping prohibited
Selling permitted
www.sharktrust.org/fisheries-advisories
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting prohibited
Except X
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit
Retaining prohibited
Except X
Record separately
Discarding permitted
Transhipping prohibited
Selling permitted
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting prohibited
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
Retaining prohibited
Record discards separately
Discarding required
Transhipping prohibited
Selling prohibited
www.sharktrust.org/fisheries-advisories
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting prohibited
Except X
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit
Retaining prohibited
Except X
Record separately
Discarding permitted
Transhipping prohibited
Selling permitted
www.sharktrust.org/fisheries-advisories
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting prohibited
Except X
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit
Retaining prohibited
Except X
Record separately
Discarding permitted
Transhipping prohibited
Selling permitted
www.sharktrust.org/fisheries-advisories
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting prohibited
Except X
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit
Retaining prohibited
Except X
Record separately
Discarding permitted
Transhipping prohibited
Selling permitted
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting prohibited
Except X
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit
Retaining prohibited
Except X
Record separately
Discarding permitted
Transhipping prohibited
Selling permitted
www.sharktrust.org/fisheries-advisories
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting prohibited
Except X
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit
Retaining prohibited
Except X
Record separately
Discarding permitted
Transhipping prohibited
Selling permitted
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting prohibited
Except X
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit
Retaining prohibited
Except X
Record separately
Discarding permitted
Transhipping prohibited
Selling permitted
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting prohibited
Except X
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit
Retaining prohibited
Except X
Record separately
Discarding permitted
Transhipping prohibited
Selling permitted
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting prohibited
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
Retaining prohibited
Record discards separately
Discarding required
Transhipping prohibited
No legal catches
Illustration © Marc Dando
Targeting prohibited
Closed season not applicable
Size limit not applicable
Catch limit not applicable
Retaining prohibited
Record discards separately
Discarding required
Transhipping prohibited
Selling prohibited
www.sharktrust.org/fisheries-advisories
Illustration © Marc Dando
SHARK - HANDLING GUIDE
LARGE SHARK
Whenever possible, lift a shark to move it.
SMALLER SHARK
Hold or lift a shark under mid-body and base of the tail.
Illustration © Marc Dando
SKATE/RAY - HANDLING GUIDE
LARGE SKATE/RAY
Whenever possible, lift a skate/ray to move it.
SMALLER SKATE/RAY
Hold or lift a skate/ray under mid-body and base of the tail.
Illustration © Marc Dando
PRINCIPAL ACTS
LEGISLATION SUMMARY - UNITED KINGDOM
European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 | Fisheries Act 2020
PROHIBITIONS ON TARGETING AND RETAINING
Art. 16 Council Regulation 2020/123 (REUL TACs & Quota Regulation)
Art. 22 Council Regulation 2020/123 (REUL T&Q Regulation - ICCAT)
Art. 28 Council Regulation 2020/123 (REUL T&Q Regulation - IOTC)
Art. 7 (2) Council Regulation 2018/2025 - (REUL DEEP SEA TACs & Quota Regulation)
Secretary of State Determination of Fishing Opportunities for British Fishing Boats (2025) – Footnotes to Rajiform Quota
UK Fishing Vessel Licence (Condition 2.1 & Annex)
PROHIBITIONS ON TARGETING, RETAINING AND SELLING
Annex 1 Council Regulation 2019/1241 (REUL Tech Con Regulation)
OBLIGATION TO RETURN TO THE SEA
UK Fishing Vessel Licence (Condition 2.1 & Annex)
QUOTA RESTRICTIONS
Secretary of State Determination of Fishing Opportunities for British Fishing Boats (2025) – Footnotes to Rajiform Quota
LANDING OBLIGATION (LO) / CATCH REPORTING
Council Regulation (EU) 2015/812
Exemption from LO for prohibited species - Art. 4 (a) Council Regulation (EU) 1380/2013
SHARK FINNING
Shark Fins Act 2023
MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM SIZES
Secretary of State Determination of Fishing Opportunities for British Fishing Boats (2025)
UK Fishing Vessel Licence
TRANSHIPPING
Art. 20 Council Regulation 1224/2009 (REUL Control Regulation)
SPECIES SPECIFIC
Tope: The Tope (Prohibition of Fishing) Order/(Wales)/2008, Art. 4-6. The Sharks, Skates and Rays (Prohibition of Fishing, Transshipment and Landing) (Scotland) Order 2012
North Sea Skates and Rays - Max 25% of catch - UK Fishing Vessel Licence (Schedule s.11.4)
Undulate Ray - Management Measures: UK Fishing Vessel Licence (Schedule s.14)
Catching Certain Scottish Elasmobranchs with lines: Art. 7. The Sharks, Skates and Rays (Prohibition of Fishing, Trans-shipment and Landing) (Scotland) Order 2012