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General information, not legal advice

What changed on 10 January 2026

General information, not legal advice. Last reviewed November 2026. Which rule applies depends on the vessel and the fishery. Read the SFPA notices and the regulations linked below before you rely on this page.

On 10 January 2026, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2196 and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1766 started to apply. The SFPA's guidance of 24 December 2025 says both were adopted under the amended EU Fisheries Control Regulation, Regulation (EU) 2023/2842. That regulation's main amendments also apply from 10 January 2026, with some later dates.

What the SFPA told vessel operators

For vessels of 12 metres length overall and above, the SFPA guidance of 24 December 2025 says the following apply from 10 January 2026, unless a later date is stated:

  • Fishing activity is recorded haul by haul. The SFPA notes that haul-by-haul recording is not filled in for you by an electronic logbook. The master completes it for each fishing operation.
  • The master submits an electronic prior notification of arrival at least four hours before entering port. The SFPA says this previously applied only in limited circumstances.
  • A fully functioning vessel monitoring system is required on board. The SFPA says the previous derogation for certain vessels between 12 and 15 metres has been removed.

How often VMS sends a position

Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2196 sets the VMS transmission interval at least once every two hours from 10 January 2026 until 10 July 2027, and at least once every 30 minutes from 10 July 2027. A 30-minute interval already applies when fishing in a fishing restricted area, or within five nautical miles of one. A flag state may require a shorter interval. From 10 July 2027 it may allow a 60-minute interval in some cases beyond the territorial sea and outside those restricted areas.

Vessels under 12 metres

Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2196 keeps transitional measures where the amended Control Regulation starts to apply to vessels under 12 metres later than 10 January 2026. Its recital refers to requirements for those vessels that start applying from 10 January 2028 or later. Regulation (EU) 2023/2842 also dates some of its own amendments to 10 January 2028. This page does not treat that date as the day every under-12 metre vessel must keep an electronic logbook. Check the SFPA notices for the vessel in question.

Where CatchOS fits

CatchOS is an offline-first digital e-logbook and fleet data platform for Irish commercial fishing, built in Ireland.

A skipper can record trips, gear, shots and hauls, and the catch, including while offline. CatchOS does not send those records to the SFPA. The day's log follows the EU FLUX format. Direct EU FLUX integration is planned.

Sources

See also what an e-logbook is and recording offline at sea.