Registering fishing vessels

Are you a professional fisherman based in the Netherlands? And do you use a fishing vessel for commercial fishing. Then you must register your fishing vessel with the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and have it inspected annually. In some cases, you must have a satellite tracking device or an Automatic Identification System on board.

Registering a fishing vessel

You must register your fishing vessel before you use it for fishing. You register the boat (in Dutch) with the Dutch Register of Fishing Vessels (NRV) through the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). When registering your fishing boat, you apply simultaneously for the fishing licence and for the EU Fleet Register. To register your vessel, you need to send a number of documents to RVO, such as proof of ownership of the vessel, and documents about the propulsive power of your vessel. Read more about registering your vessel (in Dutch) with RVO.

You may also need an International Maritime Organisation number (IMO number) to register your fishing vessel. For instance, if your vessel is 24 meters or longer (for use in EU waters) or if your vessel is 15 meters or longer (for use outside EU waters). You can request an IMO number for your vessel with the IMO.

Reporting changes in fishing vessels

If you make changes to your fishing vessel, for example a renovation, you must report these changes (in Dutch) to the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport, ILT). If you are taking over a fishing vessel, you must complete the Application for Fishing Vessel Certificates on Takeover form (in Dutch).

If you fit your fishing boat with a new motor, or change its power, you can follow the step-by-step plan Report Change of Fishing Vessel Engine (in Dutch). To report the engine modification to RVO you have to change your NRV registration. You must also change your NRV registration if you make other changes to your fishing vessel, or if you take over another boat (in Dutch).

Do you remove the vessel from service? Then you must cancel your NRV registration.

Inspection and certification of fishing vessels

The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport, ILT) inspects your fishing vessel each year. Every 5 years your fishing boat will be subjected to a renewal inspection. Upon successful completion, you will receive new certificates for your vessel. Inspections must be completed at most 3 months before or after the anniversary date of the inspection. You have to make an appointment with ILT (in Dutch) for the inspection yourself. For more information you can contact ILT.

Registering a Vessel Monitoring System, VMS

Is your fishing vessel longer than 12 meters? In most cases, you must have an approved Vessel Monitoring System (VMS). You must register all new and approved vessel monitoring systems (in Dutch) with the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and notify them of any changes. You do not have to register your VMS if you:

• fish exclusively in coastal waters
• fish exclusively in the IJsselmeer
• use your fishing vessel exclusively for aquaculture

Automatic Identification System (AIS) for fishing vessels

If you have a fishing vessel longer than 15 meters, you must have an Automatic Identification System (AIS) on board, which needs to be kept operational at all times. You need to register your AIS with the Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure (Rijksinspectie Digitale Infrastructuur, in Dutch).

Fishing rules

To fish in marine and coastal waters, you must also follow the rules for catching, landing and unloading fish. Those rules mention, among other things, the quantity of fish you may catch.