Consultation on the eligibility of fishermen for a British Seamen's Card

We are consulting on the proposal to amend the merchant shipping (seamen’s documents) regulations 1987 so that work on a fishing vessel makes the applicant eligible for issue of a British Seamen’s Card. The purpose of this measure is to secure the right of fishers, as bona fide seafarers, to free transit of third countries to join and leave ships and for the shore leave required for their well-being.

The British Seamen’s Card is widely accepted internationally as a seafarer identity document.

The amended regulations would apply to eligible British fishermen.

Please see the attached documents

• consultation document
• consultation de minimis assessment (DMA)
• word document of consultation response form

Responses are welcomed from 10 October 2022 until 28 November 2022 and emailed to workinfishing.convention@mcga.gov.uk