Interested parties are invited to apply for a licence to fish the 2023/2024 Native Oyster fishery.
Applicants are required to submit a completed application form to Loughs Agency. Applications can be downloaded below or collected at the Greencastle Community Centre, and can be submitted by post, in person to the address below or emailed to info@loughs-agency.org.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide proof of postage in the event of late delivery of an application or a missing application. Please do not send additional documents or payment.
Click here to download the application form.
Interested parties must have completed applications with Loughs Agency on or before Friday 28th July 2023.
Licence Fee: £150 or €166 – fees payable on receipt of licence.
No late applications will be accepted without proof of postage to demonstrate that the application was sent to the address below within the specified timeframe.
Completed applications should be posted to:
Oyster Licence Applications
Loughs Agency
22 Victoria Road
Derry ~ Londonderry
BT47 2AB
Northern Ireland
If you have any queries regarding the above process, please contact the number below for assistance.
Loughs Agency Office / Telephone Opening Hours are currently 09:00 – 17:00 Monday – Friday.
Tel: +44 (0) 28 71 342100
Loughs Agency has been responsible for licensing and regulating the native oyster fishery in Lough Foyle since September 2008.
The fishery operates an annual closed season from April 1 to September 18 inclusive, when the oysters are breeding. From September 19 to March 31 inclusive, fishing is permitted under licence from 6am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Licence holders must adhere to the relevant licence conditions and regulations.
Anyone who wishes to operate a vessel for harvesting native oysters must apply for a licence. Loughs Agency licenses vessels annually and we usually announce a public call for applications, via our website and the local press, in May.
Applicants must submit a completed application form before a specified deadline and provide supporting documentation. Please note that the applicant must deliver the licence application in person and late applications cannot be accepted. The annual fee is £150 or €166.
Licence holders must complete logbooks recording their catches every week and return these to Loughs Agency. Our Fishery Officers carry out regular patrols on land and water. Infringements of the regulations may result in prosecution.