Introduction

Use this application to apply for an external waters licence to fish in Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (RFMO) regulated waters:

• NEAFC (North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission)

• IOTC (Indian Ocean Tuna Commission)

• NAFO (Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation)

Step 1, before you apply

1. Check your domestic licence details are correct as we will use these details to process your application and email the external waters licence to the same person who receives your domestic fishing vessel licence, notices and variations.
   
2. If you need to make a change to the domestic fishing vessel licence, click this link to complete a short form so that we can send you an updated licence Update my fishing vessel licence (AFL3) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)

Step 2, apply for an external waters licence

You will need;

1) The domestic fishing vessel licence to provide details for the:

• domestic licence number
• vessel name
• port, letter number (PLN)
• registry of shipping and Seamen (RSS) number
• International Maritime Organisation (IMO) identification number (for vessels over 12m in length)
• vessel owner details
• nominee details

2) Details for the fishing opportunities to which you are requesting access, available opportunities are:

NEAFC

Subject to holding quota, these fishing opportunities may be fished in international waters of the NEAFC Regulatory Area. If relevant, quota stock names and codes are included for reference.

• Herring (Atlanto-Scandian herring), HER/1/2-, ICES subareas 1 and 2.
• Herring (West of Scotland), HER/5B6ANB, ICES divisions 5b, 6a and 6b.
• Blue whiting (Northern), WHB/1X14, ICES subareas 1-7, divisions 8a, 8b, 8d, 8e and subareas 12 and 14.
• Mackerel (Western), MAC/2CX14-, ICES division 2a, division 5b, subareas 6 and 7, divisions 8a, 8b, 8d and 8e, and subareas 12 and 14.
• Redfish (International), RED/1/2INT, ICES subareas 1 and 2.
• Haddock (West of Scotland), HAD/5BC6A., ICES divisions 5b and 6a
• Haddock (Rockall), HAD/6B1214, ICES division 6b and subareas 12 and 14.
• Cod (West of Scotland), COD/5BE6A, ICES divisions 6a and 5b east of 12°00' W.
• Cod (Arcto-Norwegian), COD/1N2AB., ICES subareas 1 and 2.
• Cod (Svalbard), COD/1/2B, ICES subarea 1 and division 2b.
• Greenland halibut (North Sea and West of Scotland), GHL/2A-C46, ICES division 5b and subarea 6.
• Northern prawn (International waters), ICES divisions 1a, 2a and 2b.
• Other quota stocks not listed that you would like to request to fish in the Regulatory Area.

IOTC

There are several species under the management mandate of IOTC. More details available later in this form.

ICCAT

The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) is responsible for the conservation of tunas and tuna-like species in the Atlantic Ocean and adjacent seas (Convention Area).

ICCAT stocks are subject to application processes that open in 2026. Each stock has specific measures that must be adhered to. Applications will be assessed on a fair and objective basis to determine the amount of quota to be allocated. Consideration will be given to the environmental, social, and economic impacts of your proposed fishing activity.

The fishing opportunities that will be available to apply for in 2026 are:

• Eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna
• Northern albacore tuna

Please await communication from MMO for these ICCAT applications.

NAFO

• Cod (NAFO division 3L)
  
• Cod (NAFO division 3M)