PAPERWORK
Stocking Paperwork
There are some legal requirements and paperwork required to introduce fish into most waters within England and Wales.
It is a two-part process and requires submission of two forms to CEFAS and the Environment Agency (EA). Both are totally free of charge to carry out and once obtained run indefinitely unless there are specific site requirements, such as conservation sites, or the person / organisation that obtained the permits changes details.
Both applications can be completed by a person responsible for the sites management, such as an angling club leasing a water, or the actual owner. The named individual will be the point of contact for CEFAS or the EA should they ever need to make enquiries about any reported issues or update the permit holder with any legislative changes.
Step 1
CEFAS Fishery Registration Certificate
It is a requirement for all fisheries, both private or otherwise, and on-growing sites to be 'registered' with CEFAS. This is a straightforward process and normally only takes around 2 weeks once the application is submitted to CEFAS.
Once the registration certificate is obtained you can then proceed to the EA Live Fish permit application below as you will need your CEFAS registration number to complete the form fully.
It is important to be aware that this CEFAS registration certificate DOES NOT give you the correct legal permission to introduce fish into your water. Legal introductions can only be made once the EA permit below is obtained.
The RW1 form is available by clicking on the button here
Step 2
EA Live Fish Movements Site Permit
In January 2015 the legislation regarding stocking fish changed to the new EA live fish movements site permit system. Before applying for your EA permit the water must be registered with CEFAS as the EA will require your CEFAS registration numbers to process your application.
To apply for your Site Permit it is a simple case completing
the SP1 form that is available by clicking the button here
Should you have any questions or need advice then you can contact the Environment Agency Fish Movement Team on 0208 4745243 or email them via fmapplications@environment-agency.gov.uk.
This process can take between 2 – 4 weeks normally, although if your site is in a conservation area then this may be extended up to 8 weeks due to Natural England consultation times.
Please note that VS Fisheries will not supply any fish to private lake, fishery site or on growing site that does not have the CEFAS and Environment Agency paperwork in place.
When placing an order with us at VS Fisheries you will be required to provide us with a copy of your EA Live Fish Movements Permit so that we can check all is correct. We are required to meet certain permit conditions and recording the stocking on the CEFAS live fish database.
To apply for your Site Permit it is a simple case completing
the SP1 form that is available by clicking the button here
Stocking Ornamental & Garden Ponds
We get many requests to supply private garden ponds or fish tanks with our carp. We are authorised to do this, and the two permits above are not required by the customer.
The EA classifies a garden pond as follows and must meet ALL the following criteria;
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Less than 0.4 Hectares (1 acre)
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Not Fished by anyone including the owner
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Be fully enclosed (ie. no water inlet or outlet and not in a flood plain)
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Entirely within a residential property
If the pond does not meet all these criteria above, then they should be registered with CEFAS and the EA as detailed above.