Migratory and freshwater fisheries
Latest news
- 23 January 2009: The UK Eel Management Plans have been submitted to the European Commission and are available online.
- 16 January 2009: Defra has launched a consultation on proposals to address the passage of fish
What we do
Fish are an essential part of the freshwater aquaculture environment; healthy fish stocks are an indicator of environmental quality. Maintaining the diversity of wild fish is therefore consistent with the UK’s international commitments on Biodiversity, sustainable development, and the international commitment to conserve salmon.
Defra’s Migratory and Freshwater Fisheries Programme works closely with the Environment Agency to conserve salmon, eels and freshwater fish, to maintain biodiversity and economic and recreational opportunities provided by those fisheries in England and Wales.
As part of the evidence and innovation strategy programme, a statement of needs relating to the conservation of salmon and freshwater fish stocks and whales has been published.
The Marine and Coastal Access Bill proposes a number of changes to the regulation and management of migratory and freshwater fisheries.
- More detail on the Marine and Coastal Access Bill
- More specific information on what the Marine and Coastal Access Bill means for migratory and freshwater fisheries
Working with others
Links to relevant organisations are given in the various sections of this web site. Responsibility for policy on salmon and freshwater fisheries in England rests with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, but the day-to-day management and regulatory responsibility for salmon and freshwater fisheries rests with the Environment Agency, who have a statutory duty to maintain, improve and develop salmon fisheries, trout fisheries, freshwater fisheries and eel fisheries.
The Environment Agency’s fisheries work is funded by rod and net licence duties and Government grant-in-aid. For more information on the role of the Environment Agency, please see their web site, which has a specific section on fisheries:
In this Section:
- Fisheries management
These pages cover restrictions on exploitation of fish stocks; salmon action plans; fisheries action plans; byelaws; net limitation orders; rod and net licences; mixed stock fisheries; mixed stock fisheries; the North East Coast net fishery; research, and eels
- Non-native fish
These pages summarise legislation relating to introducing non-native species to England and Wales; provide information about licences for non-native fish; conditions applying to those wishing to sell or transfer non-native fish; the rules relating to the size of ornamental cold water fish; and provide a list of species covered by the relevant legislation
- Crayfish
These pages summarise legislation relating to the keeping or release of non-native crayfish in England and Wales; provide information about licences for crayfish; provide guidance to those considering crayfish as pets; set out the offences and penalties which apply; and explain the package of crayfish bylaws through which the Environment Agency are able to approve the trapping of crayfish in England and Wales under certain conditions
- Marine and Coastal Access Bill Proposals
These pages set out the changes to current legislation relating to Migratory and Freshwater fisheries proposed in the Marine and Coastal Access Bill and explain the background to the proposals, and in particular the contribution of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Review to current thinking.
Page last modified: 13 November 2008
Page published: 17 January 2005