Kingfisher Information Services | Seafish

Kingfisher Information Services

Information on surface and subsea hazards around the UK to help fishing vessels operate safely at sea. Find out how to get alerts and plotter data.



Kingfisher has been providing information on subsea structures and the seabed to the fishing industry for over 50 years. Our Kingfisher team works with the oil and gas, subsea cable, renewable and marine aggregates industries to collate the latest news and updates. All resources are available to the fishing industry for free.

Get real-time updates with the Kingfisher Bulletin

Screenshots of the Kingfisher Bulletin app on a mobile phone

Our online Kingfisher Bulletin allows users to explore live hazards, notices and offshore news. You can register and create an account which allows you to:
• Create personalised searches, and
• Receive instant alerts when new hazard notices are added.

You can also access information wherever you are, with the new Kingfisher Bulletin app. It is available for iOS and Android devices so you can get updates through your phone or tablet. Download the app from Google Play or the App Store.

To request archive copies of our old Kingfisher Bulletins, please contact the team on kingfisher@seafish.co.uk.

Understand UK Fishing Restrictions

The Kingfisher Gear Restrictions website provides a consolidated and simplified gear focused view of all current commercial fishing restrictions in UK waters in a format which is easy to understand and can be used with confidence.

A screenshot of the website with a map of the UK and colour blocks showing different marine areas
Screenshot showing Kingfisher Gear Restrictions Website

The website allows you to see restrictions in your area and filter to your method of fishing. View, share and download restriction information to your plotter. Find out more and access the Kingfisher Gear Restrictions website on the following link below. 

Download datasets for fishing plotters

Every six months we release updated data for fishing plotters. These datasets are a valuable navigation resource to help skippers avoid hazards while working at sea. The files can be downloaded and directly updated on plotters – you can get them from the links below. To request a USB contact your fishing federation or email our Kingfisher team.

Datasets on oil and gas infrastructure

Our Kingfisher team manages the FishSAFE project for the oil and gas sector. It provides fishing plotter data on locations and details of all offshore oil and gas infrastructure in the UK:

Datasets on cable and Wind infrastructure

Our Kingfisher team also manages an information service for the offshore renewable and cable awareness project. KIS-ORCA is a joint initiative with Kingfisher, the European Subsea Cables Association (ESCA) and Renewable UK.  It provides charts and fishing plotter data on the locations of all subsea cables and offshore wind farms in the UK.  

Read in-depth articles in Talking Points

Cover artwork from 2021 and 2020 issues of Talking Points magazine

Our annual Talking Points magazine was developed to improve understanding of the offshore industries around our shores. It features articles which highlight offshore issues that are new and different, commonly discussed, or have the potential to be a safety risk for the fishing industry.

Follow the link below to read the latest edition of Kingfisher Talking Points 2023. 

Recent issues are available from the links below. Use the search box at the top of the website to look for older copies. 

Download the Yellow Card for locations of suspended wellheads

We produce the Kingfisher Yellow Card every six months to inform of locations of suspended wellheads. These structures, left on the seabed by operators intending to carry out further operations, can pose a great risk to fishing vessels. The locations of suspended wellheads are also included in the FishSAFE fishing plotter datasets.

The most recent Yellow Card is available from the link below:

https://fishsafe.org/en/downloads/

To request archive copies of old Kingfisher Yellow Cards, please contact the team on kingfisher@seafish.co.uk.

Find out more or get in touch

Follow Kingfisher on Twitter @KingfisherInfo

Contact our Kingfisher team on:

Tel: 01472 252 307
Email: kingfisher@seafish.co.uk