How to Apply For a Fishing Vessel Permit or License in Uganda

How to Apply For a Fishing Vessel Permit or License in Uganda. A fishing vessel is a boat or ship used to catch fish and other valuable nektonic aquatic animals in the sea, lake or river. Humans have used different kinds of surface vessels in commercial, artisanal and recreational fishing. Prior to the 1950s there was little standardization of fishing boats

Procedure for Applying for a Fishing Vessel Permit in Uganda

Apply In-Person

1. Obtain the Application Form:
   • Visit the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries to obtain the application form for a Fishing Vessel Permit.
2. Complete the Application Form:
   • Fill out the application form with all the necessary details.
3. Submit the Application:
   • Submit the completed application form to the Department of Fisheries and Natural Resources at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries.
4. Pay the Prescribed Fee:
   • Pay the license fee of UGX 20,000. Payments can be made by cash, cheque, or credit cards (Visa or MasterCard). If paying by cheque, make it payable to the Accountant General.
5. Application Verification:
   • The Department of Fisheries and Natural Resources will verify your application and, if everything is in order, approve it for a license.
6. License Issuance:
   • Once approved, the fishing vessel license will be processed and issued to you.

Required Documents

• Completed application form
• Identification documents (ID card or Passport)

Note: Contact the Department of Fisheries and Natural Resources for any additional document requirements.

Office Locations & Contacts

Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Resources – Head Office:

• Address: Directorate of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, Entebbe Plot 16-18, Lugard Avenue, Entebbe, Uganda.
• P.O Box: 102, Entebbe, Uganda.
• Tel: +256 414 320004
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries

Eligibility

• The applicant must be operating a fishing vessel.
• The issuance of the fishing vessel permit is contingent upon the payment of a fee.

Fees

• License Fee: UGX 20,000

Validity

• The license is valid for 1 year.

Processing Time

• Maximum processing time is 7 days.

Required Information

• Vessel Name
• Registration number
• Captain’s name
• Permanent and local contacts
• Crew members
• Vessel Description
• Declaration and signature

Conditions for Fishing Vessels

• All fishing vessels must have a fishing vessel license to fish in Uganda waters.
• A Uganda fishing vessel license identification flag must be flown on the starboard side of the vessel whenever it is engaged in any fishing activities. The flags must be returned to the Department of Fisheries and Natural Resources before departure from Uganda.
• Vessels may be inspected by officers of the Department of Fisheries and Natural Resources at any time.
• Fishing vessels may engage in offshore pelagic fishing only. Fishing on the Uganda platform is not permitted at any time.
• Owners/operators are required to record and submit catch and release data on their fishing.
• The landing of any marlin must be reported to the Marine Management Section at the Fisheries Department as soon as the fish has been boated so that the fish can be inspected by Fisheries Officers. Efforts must be made to release all fish that are not of a size to be potential record breakers.

Need for the Document

• The fishing license allows vessels to fish in Uganda waters as required by law.

Additional Resources

For more details, visit the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries website or contact their office directly using the provided contact details.