Quota Application Mechanism

Introduction

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and Defra launched a trial in 2024 using a Quota Application Mechanism. Producer organisations with English-registered vessels and non-sectoral over-10-metre vessels are invited to apply directly for a share of English quota. This trial consists of 5 stocks, with quota intended to be allocated towards the end of March 2025.

The questions and assessment criteria have been designed to support maximisation of benefits for the English fleet and work towards better sustainability outcomes. The trial will be reviewed and developed to continue the delivery of sustainable management of fisheries in line with the Joint Fisheries Statement.

This application form must be submitted by 28 February 2025. For further information, you can read Alternative ways of managing English fishing quota in 2025 - GOV.UK (opens in new tab).

To be eligible to apply you must:

• Be a producer organisation that is submitting an application containing vessels registered in England with a commercial fishing licence OR
• Be a non-sectoral over-10-metre vessel. This includes over-10-metre Crown Dependency vessels. You can also submit a joint application with other non-sectoral over-10-metre vessels.
• Ensure no master/owner in your application has been found guilty of any fisheries offences in the last three years which resulted in an Official Written Warning (OWW), Financial Administrative Penalties (FAPs) or finding of guilt by a court.
• Agree to only catch and land the quota rather than trade the allocation.
• Agree to be contacted and share information  and scheme-relevant data (e.g., landings data, sales data) during and after the trial as part of an assessment by Defra, MMO and/or their contractors. This can include and is not limited to e-log data, invoices, inspections, licence records, companies house, meeting minutes, landing statistics, take-over declarations and certifications.

How to complete and submit the application

Applications can be completed on an individual producer organisation basis, as a group application with vessels from multiple producer organisations with a named producer organisation as the lead contact, on an individual non-sectoral over-10-metre vessel basis, or as a group application of non-sectoral over-10-metre vessels with a named person as the lead contact. Applicants will be required to complete applicant and vessel details. Applicants will also need to provide answers to questions which relate to how applicants are best placed to deliver environmental, social and economic benefits.

When completing this form, you should:

• Answer all required questions. Incomplete application forms may not be considered and may cause your application to be unsuccessful.
• Contact Defra at quota@defra.gov.uk (opens in new tab) if you experience any problems completing this application. We will respond to all requests for clarifications as quickly as possible but cannot guarantee a minimum response time. Awaiting a response to a query will not be regarded as a justification for considering an application which has been submitted after the deadline.

Accessibility

If you need to complete a physical copy of this form, please contact quota@defra.gov.uk (opens in new tab).

Complaints and disputes process

For complaints about the quality of customer service or disputes, please contact Defra using the published customer complaints procedure (opens in new tab).

You can find out more about Defra’s standards for requesting and processing personal information in the Defra personal information charter (opens in new tab)

Section 1: Applicant details

The first few questions will ask about you as the person completing this form, as well as your position within a group if applicable, and your contact information.