Aquatic Animal Health - Authorisation and Registration Forms
Authorisation of Aquaculture Production Businesses
Under the Aquatic Animal Health Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009, all aquaculture production businesses (APBs) must be authorised by the Department. These will normally include the following:
- Finfish farms
- Shellfish farms
- Crustacean farms
- Shellfish dispatch centres
- Shellfish purification centres
- Processing establishments processing aquaculture animals for disease control purposes
- Premises holding ornamental aquatic animals with direct contact with natural waters
- Any other installations holding aquaculture animals other than those required to be registered.
Biosecurity Plan
A biosecurity plan should be submitted with all applications for authorisation. A biosecurity plan checklist can be downloaded by following the appropriate link at the bottom of the page; further information on these plans can be obtained by contacting the Fisheries Inspectorate (Tel 02890 524038).
Registration of Put and Take Fisheries and Non-Commercial Installations
The Regulations also provide that fisheries stocked with aquaculture animals for angling purposes only (i.e. put and take fisheries) and other aquaculture production businesses in which aquatic animals are kept with no intention of placing them on the market (i.e. non-commercial installations) must be registered with the Department rather than authorised.
Applications for Authorisation or Registration
Applications should be made to the Department by the completion of the appropriate form. These forms can be downloaded by following the relevent links at the bottom of the page. If you are not clear as to whether your business is required to be authorised or registered you should seek advice from the Department's Fisheries Inspectorate (Tel 02890 524038).
From 1 August 2009 it will be an offence to operate an aquaculture production business without a valid authorisation, or to operate an unregistered put and take fishery or non-commerical installation.
Requirement to Hold a Fish Culture Licence
In addition to the requirement to hold a valid authorisation or registration, fish farms in Northern Ireland are required to hold a valid Fish Culture Licence issued under Section 11 of the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966. Further information on fish culture licensing requirements can be obtained by following the appropriate link below.
Further Information
