However, MMO’s existing out of hours 24-hour support to users for the Fish Export Service and Catch Recording, will still continue so support for industry will remain.

What is happening 

• The opening hours for the Fish Exports and Under 10m Catch Recording Helplines are being reduced by three hours from 01/04/2025. 

• The new operating times will be 8am to 6pm (previously 7am to 8pm). 

• Outside of these hours there will remain 24/7 cover with calls still being automatically routed: 

• Fish Exports helpline (0330 159 1989) – callers will come through to the United Kingdom Fisheries Monitoring Centre for enquiries relating to significant IT issues / outages  

• Under 10m Catch Recording helpline (0300 0203 788) – calls will continue to access the automated service to enable fishers to log catch records

Who will this impact? 

Users of the Fish Exports helpline and under-10m Catch Recording helpline. 

Why is it happening? 

• The challenging economic climate means that all Government departments must seek efficiency savings and operate within budgetary constraints  

• By making these changes we are ensuring that the Fish Exports and Under 10m Catch Recording helplines remain affordable and support for users is maintained. 

When is it happening? 

• The new hours of operation will come into effect on April 1 2025 .