Welcome to the Fish Health Unit Website

This website has been developed to provide a structured and user-friendly single point source of information relating to the current Fish Health Regulations applicable in Ireland. Information regarding the Aquaculture Operator's legal obligations and the administration of these Regulations is also provided along with information on pertinent Fish Health related issues.

Apply

Fish Health

Approval

If you operate an aquaculture establishment that falls within categories as listed here, you must obtain Fish Health Approval from the Marine Institute.

Apply for Fish Health Approval

Submit

Finfish/Shellfish

Movement Application

All movements within Ireland and imports/exports of aquaculture animals for ongrowing & further processing must be notified to the Marine Institute in advance.

Submit a Movement Application

Submit

Ornamental

Import Application

If you intend to import ornamental aquatic animals, you must first register with the Marine Institute as an ornamental importer.

Submit an Import Application

Important notices

Brexit Update (April 2025) - Landbridge Transit Requirements for Live Bivalve Molluscs

The arrangements which apply concerning the transit of Live Bivalve Molluscs through Great Britain, intended for re-immersion in an EU Member State from 01 April 2025, are as follows:

Good Practice Guidelines for the Pacific Oyster Industry (2025 Edition)

An updated 2025 edition of the Fish Health Unit's Good Practice Guidelines for the Pacific Oyster Industry is available.

Fish Health Report of Activities Undertaken in 2023

The Fish Health Unit Report of Activities Undertaken in 2023 has now been published. This report outlines the activities undertaken last year by the Fish Health Unit of the Marine Institute.

Update on Crayfish Plague in Ireland

Crayfish Plague is recognised as an existential threat to the survival of the globally threatened white-clawed crayfish, Austropotamobius pallipes, which is the only crayfish species native to Ireland. Crayfish plague is a highly infectious lethal disease caused by a fungal-like organism, Aphanomyces astaci, which infects white-clawed crayfish and can cause up to 100% mortality. The latest information on the presence of crayfish plague in Ireland can be found here.

Fish Health Report of Activities Undertaken in 2022

The Fish Health Unit Report of Activities Undertaken in 2022 has now been published. This report outlines the activities undertaken last year by the Fish Health Unit of the Marine Institute.

European Commission on Animal Health Law

Regulation (EU) 2016/429 on transmissible animal diseases (“Animal Health Law”) entered into application on 21 April 2021. In support of the implementation of the Animal Health Law, and to help raise awareness on different parts of the new EU animal health legislation, the European Commission has prepared a set of information material that can be accessed online.