MMO issues guidance on reporting marine‑mammal bycatch, 48‑hour deadline set

The UK Marine Management Organisation has published guidance titled Marine Mammal Bycatch: Your Reporting Matters, issued on 10 November 2026, setting out reporting obligations for incidents involving marine mammals and fishing activity.

What the guidance requires

Vessel owners and masters are required to report any incident in which fishing activity has caused or contributed to marine mammal injury, mortality or bycatch. Reports must be submitted within 48 hours of the end of the fishing trip, the MMO's guidance states.

What the guidance covers

The document explains why reporting matters, what happens when a report is made and how to submit a report. The MMO frames the guidance as practical information for those responsible for vessels and fishing operations.

The requirement applies to owners and masters, emphasizing responsibility at the level of those who operate and control vessels. The 48-hour deadline is measured from the end of the fishing trip, not from the moment the incident is observed.

The MMO's publication makes clear that reporting channels and subsequent steps are described in the guidance. It indicates where those subject to the requirement can find procedures and the next steps following a report.

The guidance is titled to underline the importance the regulator places on recorded information about bycatch and incidents. It is presented as a resource for the fishing sector to understand the reporting process and what to expect after a submission is made.

The MMO's notice is brief and procedural in scope. It does not, in the factual notes supplied, set out sanctions or detailed follow-up actions; rather it directs readers to the guidance for explanation of the reporting process and rationale.

Those responsible for vessels and fishing operations should consult the MMO guidance for full detail. The MMO is the publisher of the material and the date of issue is 10 November 2026, which frames the timing for the advisory for the industry.

The guidance is a formal statement of obligation and of the information the regulator expects to receive when fishing activity has caused or contributed to marine mammal harm. Readers are advised to refer directly to the MMO publication for the precise procedural steps and any supporting materials it provides.