UK government confirms no change to Seafish levy, leaving current rates and support for seafood industry unchanged
The UK government has confirmed it will not amend the Seafish levy following a comprehensive review, leaving current rates and scope unchanged.
In July 2025, the Chair of the Seafish Board received a written response from the Minister of State on behalf of Seafish’s four government sponsors regarding proposed changes to the levy. The letter advised that, in light of ongoing public spending reductions and insufficient sector support, the government concluded this is not the right time to alter the levy.
A Seafish spokesperson said the organisation remains committed to supporting a thriving UK seafood industry and will consider how best to allocate resources in line with government guidance.
Seafish began the levy review after a Strategic Review of the organisation in 2021, which highlighted that the levy, unchanged since 1999, required assessment. Following industry feedback, a non-statutory consultation on proposed changes took place in March and April 2023, followed by a statutory consultation from 15 May 2024 to 9 August 2024. Proposed changes included increasing levy rates, applying an annual adjustment, and extending the levy to imported canned, bottled, and preserved seafood.
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Current proposals suggested raising the Category 1 levy, which covers around 90% of species, from 0.903p/kg to 1p/kg. Category 2 species, including pelagic fish, cockles, mussels, and whelks, would increase gradually to 0.5p/kg. Rates for manufactured fishmeal would also rise. Imported products containing levied species were proposed to be included to ensure fairness between UK-produced and imported seafood.
An annual CPI-based adjustment capped at 2% was also proposed, alongside administrative improvements such as a de minimis exemption for businesses paying less than £100 per year, and enhanced reporting on species and origin to improve levy audits and support economic analysis.
Seafish noted that increased levy funding would have enabled additional industry support, including dedicated fishing safety advisers, assistance with labour and welfare issues, expanded international trade support, a fully funded fisheries management team, climate adaptation guidance, research funding, and enhanced spatial analysis services for marine management.
Despite the government’s decision not to amend the levy, Seafish says it will continue to prioritise these areas where possible within existing funding, ensuring UK seafood businesses receive guidance and support across the supply chain.