Legal background UK law relating to fisheries Legal background to the devolution of fisheries
Foreign affairs (including relations with the EU, other countries and other international organisations) is a reserved matter. Observing and implementing international obligations is not a reserved matter.
	Subject to very few exceptions, the devolved legislatures and administrations have legislative and executive competence in relation to fisheries and marine conservation in their territorial waters.
	The regulation of sea fishing in the Scottish zone and the regulation of Scottish fishing boats anywhere are devolved matters.
	The regulation of sea fishing in the Northern Ireland zone and the regulation of Northern Ireland fishing boats anywhere are devolved matters. In Northern Ireland, the foreshore and seabed are excepted matters.
	The regulation of sea fishing is devolved in the Welsh inshore area, but Senedd Cymru does not currently have legislative competence in relation to fisheries in the Welsh offshore area. Fisheries is not reserved under Schedule 7A to the Government of Wales Act 2006, so is devolved where provisions can be said to relate to Wales (which includes the inshore area). Welsh Ministers do have executive competence in relation to fisheries in the offshore region.
	Subject to certain exceptions, the Devolved Administrations have devolved competence in relation to marine licensing in their inshore area and the Scottish Ministers and the Welsh Ministers have executive competence in relation to marine licensing in respect of their offshore area.
	The Devolved Administrations have executive competence in relation to marine planning in their offshore area as well as competence over marine planning in their inshore area.