Statutory guidance: Fish Producer Organisation (PO) compliance and enforcement

The MMO has a regulatory role to ensure producer organisations are in compliance with legislative and statutory obligations as set out in fisheries legislation.




Guidance: Applying to be a fish Producer Organisation (PO)

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) promotes the sustainable growth of UK marine fisheries and works in collaboration PO’s to manage fishing opportunities.

Applicants should submit their form to the MMO at fmc@marinemanagement.org.uk




Guidance: Fish Producer Organisation (PO) production and marketing plan

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) promotes the sustainable growth of UK marine fisheries and works in collaboration PO’s to manage fishing opportunities.

PO’s should submit their PMP’s to the MMO at fmc@marinemanagement.org.uk.

New PMPs must be submitted 8 weeks prior to the expiry of the existing PMP or within 8 weeks of recognition for newly recognised POs.




Guidance: Fish Producer Organisation (PO) annual report

Updated: Text updated to remove February

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) promotes the sustainable growth of UK marine fisheries and works in collaboration PO’s to manage fishing opportunities.

PO’s should submit their annual reports to the MMO by the end of February each year to fmc@marinemanagement.org.uk

PO’s should submit their annual reports to the MMO by the agreed date.




Collection: Fish Producer Organisation (PO)

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) promotes the sustainable exploitation of UK marine fisheries and works in collaboration PO’s to manage fishing opportunities.

PO’s are officially recognised bodies set up by fishery or aquaculture producers. They play a role in managing quotas and marketing the fisheries products of their members. There are currently 11 established PO’s in England (24 in total in the UK).

PO recognition

PO’s must be deemed to be sufficiently economically active, and must therefore meet one of the following criteria on an ongoing basis; the:

  • number of vessels operated by PO members is at least 20% of the total number of vessels operating in its area
  • PO disposes of at least 15% by weight of total production in its area
  • PO disposes of at least 30% by weight of total production in a major port or market in its area
  • PO has a minimum of 200 members that are active fishermen (the PO must provide a list of vessels and their landings data over the previous 3 years, where applicable)