New EU rules to fight illegal fishing came into force on 8 January, forcing UK seafood exporters to submit extra traceability data from the same evening to keep goods moving to the EU and beyond.
The changes apply through the UK Fish Export System and affect the whole supply chain, from fishers to transporters.
What changed on 8 January
The updated EU Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing rules now require new information fields in export documents. The Fish Export Service was updated to meet the regulations.
It was briefly unavailable from 5 pm on 8 January during the switch. Exports without correct paperwork risk delay.
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has worked with UK fishing authorities to help firms prepare. Support includes step-by-step videos, FAQs, guidance on new data fields and label templates under the Fish, Trace, Ship campaign. Help remains available after the change.
What officials say
Nicholas Greenwood, MMO Head of Marine Protection and Operations Services, said the deadline “marks the UK deadline for new information to be provided by exporters to improve traceability, combat IUU fishing, and maintain trade flows with the EU and beyond.”
He added that compliance is essential and that MMO teams are “on hand to support exporters, processors, transporters and fishers” during the transition.
Extended support hours are in place, including out-of-hours helplines and longer operating times for the UK Single Liaison Office. Manual overrides remain limited to standard daytime hours.