The Seafish levy

Seafish is a non-departmental public body (NDPB) set up as part of the Fisheries Act 1981 to support the seafood industry in the UK. Full information on the legislation is available on the Gov.uk website. 

Who pays the levy?

Seafish levy is due on all first-hand purchases of sea fish, shellfish, and sea fish products including fishmeal landed in the United Kingdom. A first-hand purchase takes place when a product is purchased from:

• A fisherman or boat owner - however when such a purchase is made through or via a fish salesman/auctioneer, payment of levy due to Seafish is made by them but is recoverable from the purchaser. It will normally be charged by the fish salesman/auctioneer as a separate item on their customer's sales invoices.
• A foreign supplier - including direct imports, purchases made from UK cold stores, goods delivered duty paid and purchases from EU countries, including the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
• Fish and shellfish farmers, growers and cultivators

Levy is also due from any UK registered fishing vessel owner, fish and shellfish farmer, grower or cultivator who lands product in the United Kingdom for subsequent sale direct to a foreign customer.

Levy is not charged on:

• Salmon and migratory trout
• Canned or Bottled fish, including fish in pouches, which do not require refrigeration
• Freshwater species of fish and shellfish

Following our Strategic Review in 2021, we are consulting with the industry on changes to the Seafish levy. These will be the first changes since 1999 and will help us to deliver the support the industry wants from us.

Find out more on our Seafish Levy Review page:

Information and instructions for levy payers

If you are already a levy payer or you are unsure if you should be paying levy, check the information on the pages below or get in touch with the Levy team.