Species ID Guides

It is important for fishers to be able to correctly identify other marine species in the event of interaction during fishing activity. The resources below are intended for fishermen to use while fishing and outline any reporting requirements.

Species Identification Guide and Landings Guidance

View the visual guides to identify sharks, rays, marine mammals, reptiles and invertebrates that share a distribution with nephrops and scallop fisheries around the UK. This list is not exhaustive but prioritises species that meet the ETP and VME criteria in the MSC Fisheries Standard.

Access the digital ETP guide here

View digital guides

Digital versions of the species posters

These posters have also been designed for use on quayside to help increase awareness of ETP species and can be shared or printed where necessary.

Access the digital posters here

Download posters

Thanks to Shark Trust

These guides wouldn’t have been possible without the guidance and permissions of the Shark Trust. You can visit their website here.

Fishery advisory information in the elasmobranch section was kindly provided by the Shark Trust. Each year the Shark Trust produce Commercial Fisheries Advisories in line with the latest UK and EU law. These provide rapid access to the current legislative status of sharks, skates and rays in UK, EU and international waters. They are designed to assist the commercial fishing industry as well as fisheries management and enforcement agencies.

Recognising the UK’s status as an independent coastal state, for each region the Shark Trust has produced two Commercial Fisheries Advisories that reflect the relevant legislation for both UK and EU vessels. As TACs and quotas are met or altered, and legislation updated, some advisories may be subject to change. The Shark Trust endeavours to keep them up to date. Contact the relevant fishery authority for definitive guidance.

The catalogue of advisories can be accessed here, including the list of resources used to compile the advisory information.

Mammal reporting

In accordance with fishing vessel licences, any incidental injury to or mortality (bycatch) of marine mammals including seals, dolphins, porpoises and whales caused by or contributed to by commercial fishing operations in the UK EEZ, and for UK vessels operating in international waters, must be reported to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).

Reporting template here