Apply for Non-Native Fish or Crayfish Licence

Guidance

Apply for a licence to keep non-native fish or crayfish

Apply for a licence to introduce and keep certain species of non-native fish or crayfish.

From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Published 23 April 2026 Get emails about this page

Applies to England and Wales

Print this page This form replaces forms ILFA1 and CRAY2. Use it to apply to the Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) to introduce and keep:

• non-native freshwater fish (not for farms or inland waters)
• some species of non-native crayfish The Import of Live Fish (England and Wales) Act 1980 and Prohibition of Keeping of Live Fish (Crayfish) Order 1996 list all the species this form applies to.

Before you start

Before starting this application you should know:

• your FHI registration or authorisation number, if you have one
• the details of the site where you plan to keep the fish or crustaceans, including the National Grid reference (if the site is already registered with or authorised by Cefas, you only need to give the site reference number)
• the type, number and water source of the holding facilities you’ll use
• the common and scientific names of the species you’ll keep
• your supplier’s details, including their reference and licence numbers if they’re based in England or Wales

Apply for a licence

Start now

Get help

For help using this service email fhi@cefas.gov.uk

Updates to this page

Published 23 April 2026

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