Fishing Vessels

Vessels which supply fish, shellfish or fishery products for human consumption must be registered or approved, depending on the activity undertaken on board.

Fishing vessels

Inspecting fishing vessels is not new but it is recognised that this has historically been a low priority for local authority officers. However, the direct link between fishing vessel inspection and export health certification following the UK's exit from the EU, has raised the importance and urgency of the issue.

Businesses within the UK market may also require evidence of registration before accepting catch from vessels.

Export Health Certificates cannot be issued if fish or shellfish have been landed from an unregistered vessel.

Fishing vessel registration

Vessels which catch fish and/or harvest live shellfish must register with the Local Authority. This should be done online and can be accessed via the link at the bottom of this page. There is no fee for registration.

Fishing vessels should be registered with, and inspected by, the Local Authority at their home port, as this is where most vessels will operate from.

The inspection is straightforward and should take no longer than 30 minutes. We will look at:

- hand washing facilities on board

- the general structure

- the handling of the catch prior to and during transfer to shore

Exemptions

There are exemptions from registration:

- primary production for private domestic use

- the domestic preparation, handling or storage of food for private domestic consumption

Registered vessels are not approved for the cooking of shrimp onboard. This is a higher risk activity and requires separate approval instead (see below).

List of registered fishing vessels - 1 August 2024

The following vessels have registered with Boston Borough Council as food businesses and have been inspected to check that they comply with food law requirements. These vessels are not approved for the cooking, cooling and storage of shrimp onboard.

MV Intrepid   BN67
MV Jo-Bert   LO423
MV Katherine   LO58
MV Maggie S   BN84
MV Molly P   BN444

Fishing vessel approval

Where shellfish are cooked, cooled and stored onboard a fishing vessel, approval must be obtained from the Local Authority before the activity is undertaken. This is a more robust process than registration and an approval number will be issued. To apply for approval please contact environmental.health@boston.gov.uk for further information. There is no fee for approval.

List of approved fishing vessels - 1 August 2024

The following vessels have been approved by Boston Borough Council for the cooking, cooling and storage of shrimp onboard and have been inspected to check that they comply with food law requirements.

MV Abigail   BN24
MV Boy Lukie   LO89
MV Cally Seranne   BN430
MV Itsey Bitsey   BN428
MV Jaime Louise   BN23
MV Jarcon    BN62
MV Kathryn James   BN190
MV Lili Mae   BN439
MV Louie Lou   BN100
MV Merlin   BN39
MV Patricia B   BN438
MV Ruby Doo   BN3
MV Seven Sisters   BN445
MV Tracey Elaine   BN5
MV Vicky Ellen    BN86