Shellfish Gathering

Shellfish gathering is one of the sectors regulated by the GLAA.

If you use or supply workers to gather shellfish you will need a GLAA licence.

Do you:

employ workers under a contract of employment?
use self employed workers?
use workers to collect shellfish on your behalf, including collection in a private fishery?
organise or manage groups of workers, even if the workers do not sell directly to you?

If so, you will need to apply for a licence.

Managing work and workers

If you or your supervisor control where, when or how others work, you will also need a licence.

Do you:

provide equipment, such as rakes or quad bikes?
transport workers to a shellfish bed to collect for you?
tell others to gather from a new shellfish bed you have found?

If you have answered yes to any of these questions, you will need to apply for a licence.

Buying shellfish

You will also need a licence if you or your supervisor require anyone to sell their catch to you as the first link in the buying chain (if the buying and paying arrangements are made away from the shellfish beds and shore), or if you request the shellfish you purchase must be from a particular bed.

Still not sure whether you need a licence?

We recommend your enquiry is sent by e-mail so you have a record of our response. Please provide full details of the type of work, where it will be done and if possible a job description of the role.

Offences and penalties

It is a criminal offence to operate as a gangmaster without a licence. The maximum penalty is ten years in prison and a fine. For more information read our pages on the Criminal offences and sanctions and the penalties in How we inspect and prosecute.

Find out more...

I supply workers: The application and renewal process
The licensing standards: The conditions that must be met to qualify for a licence
Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004: Legislation
Exclusions: The circumstances where a licence is not required