Moving fish and shellfish in England and Wales

The two government bodies that deal with aquatic animal (fish and shellfish) movements within England and Wales are the Fish Health Inspectorate and the Environment Agency.

The legislation under which they operate is designed to prevent the spread of fish diseases, the damage to fisheries and the wider environment, caused by inappropriate fish movements.

The Fish Health Inspectorate, under The Aquatic Animal Health (England and Wales) Regulations 2009, authorise farms, register fisheries and control fish movements where a notifiable disease is suspected or confirmed.

The Environment Agency, under Section 30 (Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975) and regional byelaws, regulate all fish and crayfish introductions and removals within inland waters in England and Wales. The Fish Health Inspectorate regulates movements between authorised fish farm sites.

For the release and keeping of non-native species there are further controls. These are regulated under the Import of Live Fish Act (ILFA) and the Wildlife and Countryside Act (WCA). Additional controls regulate the importation of fish and shellfish.