This section offers advice about specific types of business eg fisher, farmer, processor etc. When you click on one of the main headings below, such as Fisher, the section will expand to show you a table of links split into categories, such as 'Training'. However, when you are thinking of setting up a new business there are also many general things you need to consider such as financial and organisational matters. These are covered in the section called 'Business Resources'.
Approved Codes of Pratice for shellfish diving and for fish farm diving operations
The regulations that govern all diving for any sort of profit or gain, including shellfish harvesting and fish farm work.
What you need to know if you are thinking of becoming a commercial diver, including diving for shellfish or working on fish farms
The qualifications you need to be a shellfish diver or a fish farm diver
Pages relating to shellfish harvesting either farmed or captured
Requirements and advice to fishing vessels from the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA)
Article 31 of this document (about 2/3 of the way through) explains why electrofishing for fish or shellfish is illegal in the EU
What you need to include in the diving operations logbook as a shellfish diver
A guide to the licencing requirements for those who gather (harvest) from the shore
The legislation that can apply to hand-gathering shellfish from the shore
An example of a Code of Conduct that can be applied to shore gathering shellfish
An example of a Code of Practice for shore gathering shellfish and bait digging.
Advice aimed at your professional advisors, such as accountants or freight handlers. However, some useful information for you too.
Advice on the movement of fish or shellfish
Approval process for all premises handling fish or shellfish
Food regulations in Scotland with links to other areas
Information about the Seafish levy and how to pay it
Seafish guidance on a raft of legislation that affects the seafood industry, from catching to consumption
Trade body assisting and representing the seafood industry in Scotland
Guides to training courses and providers
Accreditation under the Freedom Foods scheme
Soil Association standards for Organic Aquaculture accreditation
Standards for organic aquaculture accreditation from the Organic Food Federation (OFF)
Accreditation of aquaculture products
Accerdiation of aquaculture products
Business planning models for fin-fish and shellfish cultivation
Safety standards for fish products
The Crown Estate owns much of the foreshore and seabed around the UK. You require a lease from them to set-up any fish or shellfish farm. This is their aquaculture homepage that will help you start the process.
The aquaculture planning process in Argyll & Bute. It will be similar in most Scottish Local Authorities. Consult your local planning office.
SEPA's fish farm manual with a lot of guidance and templates
SEPA's home page for all aquaculture information
The aquaculture planning pages of Highland Council. The process is similar across all Local Authorities.
Local Authorities are encouraged to draw up Aquaculture Framework Plans. Here are examples from Highland Council. Consult your Local Authority to see if similar are in place in your area.
The aquaculture planning process in Shetland
Guidance on aquaculture consents in Northern Ireland
The Northern Lighthouse Board control navigation in the seas around Scotland. You require their consent when starting a fish or shellfish farm.
Trinity House control navigation in the seas around England and Wales. You need their consent if you wish to start a fish or shellfish farm.
The Commissioners of Irish lLghts control navigation in the seas around all of Ireland. they are part of the consenting process for fish and shellfish farms.
If you are starting an aquaculture business you will need to consult with SNH, here is their guidance and contact details.
Natural England's draft position on Aquaculture and Fisheries
How to contact Natural England to discuss aquaculture developments
How to contact CCW to discuss aquaculture developments in Wales
The Seafish 'Environmental toolkit' to assist with guidance on environmental assesments and other issues.
The Water Framework Directive will impact on both fisheries and aquaculture. Here is some guidance.
Advice about setting up a fish or shellfish farm
Advice on choosing a site for a shellfish farm
Advice on choosing a scallop cultivation site
Fish farm related publications and application forms from SEPA
All premises handling fish products have to be registered and approved by their local Environmental Health Officers. Here is some guidance.
Food hygine regulations affect all food premises. Here is some guidance.
Registering your fish or shellfish farm in Scotland
Rgistering a fish or shellfish farm in England & Walea
Information about fisheries and aquaculture in Northern Ireland
Code of Good Practice for Shellfish Farming in Scotland
Code of Good Practice for Fin-Fish Aquaculture in Scotland
Trade Association representing shellfish growers in Scotland
Trade body representing both shellfish growers and capture fisheries throughout the UK
Trade body represnting trout farmers throughout the UK. Much useful information.
Trade body representing salmon farmers in Scotland
Information and gateway to the WAPA via the Aquaculture Wales website
Trade body for marine fin-fish, such as halibut, cod, and tuurbot, growers
Trade body representing salmon growers in Shetland.
Regional body representing the interests of shellfish growers in Shetland
Information on aquaculture courses and course providers
Accreditation under the Responsible Fishing Scheme
Accreditation under the Marine Stewardship Council scheme (MSC)
A business planner for fishing vessels
Guidance on fish and shellfish quality for fishers and processors
The SNH involvement with fisheries
Organisation managing some inshore fisheries in Shetland
The Seafish guide to basic fishing methods
Registration of UK fishing vessels
Mandatory courses for fishermen.
The Buyers and Sellers regulations and registration page
European fishery regulations in force under the Common Fisheries Policy
Links to EU and national fishing regulations
The contact number and e-mail address for catch reporting and prior notification before landing
A list of the legislation that relates to fishing in Scotland. Marine Scotland Compliance was the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency (SFPA)
What you need to know and do for Registration as a Buyer or Seller of fish and shellfish at first sale.
A guide to the the Registration of Buyers and Sellers regulations
Download a copy of the mandatory Risk Assement form. Plus other useful information about safety services.
National Ferderation representing regional Federations throughout Scotland. Links to other organisations. There are also other non-affiliated associations around the country, check your local port for details.
Producer Organisation representing its members and marketing their products
Trade association representing creelers and divers in Scotland
Seafish training schemes and grants for the sea-based sectors
Seafish training courses and grants
This is the home page of the trade body for fishmongers, the National Federation of Fishmongers (NFF)
The home page of the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers, who are based in London and who have a strong interest in fish and fisheries.
Seafish training courses for the land-based sectors
A page highlighting training courses for fishmongers. Also useful for primary processors.
A provider of training in seafood skills
Accreditation under the Friers Quality Award
This is the home page of the trade body for fish fryers, the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF)
This page highlights courses organised by the National Federation of Fish Friers.
Accreditation by British Retail Consortium (BRC)
BRC and SALSA accreditation narrative
Sound advice on setting up import or export businesses
Looking to export Scottish products or are you coming from another country and wish to invest in the Scottish seafood industry? These are the people to speak to for advice and assistance.
Advice on the requirements for importing or exporting fish
Advice on importing foods in to the UK and EU
Advice on seafood imports
Russian inspection standards for fish and shellfish plants
Russian inspection standards for food premises
What you need to know if you wish to export to Russia
Training organised by the British Retail Consortium (BRC)
Accreditation by Safe and Local Supplier Approval (SALSA) scheme
Friend of the Sea accreditation for sustainable seafood
Information on MSC fisheries and process
Accreditation under the Fredom Foods scheme
Advice on labelling fish and fish products for allegens
An American site with good basic advice on how to smoke fish. Temperaures and other measures can be converted to the metric system by reference to a good cook book.
There are plenty of books on smoking different foods that can give you a start. Most are available from any good bookshop. Here are a few examples. ( We do not prefer any author to another, but Kate Walker's book 'Practical Food Smoking' is a classic for those starting in business). (We do not endorse the seller).
An American guide to basic fish smoking. Measurements can be converted to metric using a good cook book.
Examples of suppliers of smoking equipment and even a course. (We do not endorse any product or course).
Skills provision for the food and drink industry including seafood processing.
Some views on seaweed harvesting
Some general information on seaweed cultivation
Examining the commercialisation of seweed and sea urchin cultivation in Scotland. Contact them for more details.
