Seafood on sale at a fish counter in Paris.
Photo: Alex Kozlov / Adobe Stock.
The European Union has rolled out a new digital catch certification regime for seafood imports, significantly tightening traceability requirements for fishery products entering the bloc and prompting exporting countries, including the UK, to update their own export systems.
From 10 January 2026, all fishery products entering the EU must be accompanied by a fully digital catch certificate under the CATCH platform, launched by the European Commission, described as "an EU-wide real-time IT system for the management of all procedures linked to the EU catch certification scheme".
The system replaces paper-based documentation and is intended to strengthen the EU’s fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, while improving consistency and enforcement across Member States, the Commission said.
Seafood imports account for around 70% of EU consumption, with approximately 80% of those imports covered by the EU’s IUU Regulation. The Commission said the move to a harmonised digital system will improve traceability, reduce the risk of illegally caught products entering the market and, over time, lower administrative burdens for operators.
The introduction of CATCH forms part of the EU’s Ocean Pact, which aims to protect marine biodiversity, support a sustainable blue economy and reinforce global action against IUU fishing.
In response to the EU’s updated requirements, the UK has implemented changes to its export processes to ensure continued access to the EU market, its largest destination for seafood exports. From the evening of 8 January, UK exporters have been required to submit additional traceability data through the UK Fish Export System, ensuring domestic documentation is compatible with the EU’s new digital regime.
The UK's Marine Management Organisation said it has worked closely with fishing administrations across the UK to support industry readiness through its Fish, Trace, Ship campaign, providing guidance for fishers, processors, exporters and transporters across the supply chain.
Speaking on 8 January, Nicholas Greenwood, the MMO’s head of marine protection and operations services, said, “Today marks the UK deadline for new information to be provided by exporters to improve traceability, combat IUU fishing, and maintain trade flows with the EU and beyond.”
The MMO has also introduced extended helpline hours during the transition period, while warning that consignments lacking the correct digital documentation risk delays or disruption at EU borders.
Further information is available via the Fish, Trace, Ship campaign, which encourages UK businesses to ensure they are fully prepared for the new export requirements.