Fish Index — UK, Ireland & Nordic Fish & Seafood Industry Directory
The EU's digital catch certification went live in January 2026 and the UK catch certificate gained new mandatory fields. What GB exporters need for every consignment, and what the proposed UK and EU SPS agreement may change.
<p>Exporting fish from Great Britain to the EU has never been a one-form job, and January 2026 added to the load. The EU moved its catch certification onto a digital system, and the UK catch certificate picked up new mandatory fields to match. This guide sets out what a GB exporter needs for each consignment today, and what the proposed UK and EU agreement on food and animal health checks might change.</p> <h2>What changed in January 2026</h2> <p>From 10 January 2026, fishery products entering the EU must be accompanied by a digital catch certificate handled through the EU's CATCH system, which replaces paper based documentation. The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) warned that consignments without the right digital paperwork risk delays at EU borders.</p> <p>On the UK side, the catch