Commentary on provisions of Act Licensing of fishing boats Section 15: Power to grant licences in respect of British fishing boats.
This section provides a power for the Devolved Administrations and the MMO to grant licences to British fishing boats.
	Subsection (1) sets out which fishing boats are licensed by which administration:
	Scottish fishing boats are licensed by the Scottish Ministers;
	Welsh fishing boats are licensed by the Welsh Ministers;
	Northern Ireland fishing boats are licensed by the Northern Ireland department;
	other British fishing boats (English fishing boats and Crown Dependency fishing boats which need a UK licence) are licensed by the MMO.
	Subsection (2) allows licences granted under this section to be limited by reference to fishing in a particular area; to the periods, times or particular voyages during which fishing is authorised; to the descriptions and quantities of fish which may be caught; and to the method of sea fishing.
	Subsection (3) provides that licences granted under this section must name the fishing boat in respect of which it is granted, and may only be granted to the boat’s owner or charterer.