Fisheries, Aquaculture and Water Environment Bill

Learn more about the terminology and information that you will find on this page.

Learn more about the different stages of a Bill.

Bill Number: Bill 38/22-27

Bill Type: Executive (What are the different Bill Types?)

Bill Sponsor: Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

A Bill to make provision about the functions of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in relation to fisheries and inland waters; about enforcement powers in relation to sea fisheries; about penalties and modes of trial for certain offences relating to fisheries, sea fish conservation and the water environment; about aquaculture licensing; about the licensing of the sale of fish and the recovery of expenses for river bed remedial works; and for connected purposes.

Follow the Bill’s journey below from Introduction. Each iteration of the Bill will be published along with the accompanying Explanatory and Financial Memorandum.

The legislative stages of bills that go through the Northern Ireland Assembly begins with the First Stage, and then moves to Second Stage, Committee Stage, Further Consideration Stage and Final Stage, before requiring Royal Assent to become an Act.

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First Stage

Status

Completed 22 June 2026.

Associated information

Bill as Introduced (HTM)

Bill as Introduced (PDF, 42 Pages, 1,507KB)

Explanatory and Financial Memorandum as Introduced (HTM)

Explanatory and Financial Memorandum as Introduced (PDF, 16 pages, 275KB)

Official Report of the First Stage - 22 June 2026


 

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Second Stage

Status

To be scheduled.

Associated information

Associated information will be published here when available.


 

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Committee Stage

Status

To be scheduled on completion of the Second Stage.

Associated information

Associated information will be published here when available.


 

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Consideration Stage

Status

To be scheduled on completion of the Committee Stage.

Associated information

Associated information will be published here when available.


 

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Further Consideration Stage

Status

To be scheduled on completion of the Consideration Stage.

Associated information

Associated information will be published here when available.


 

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Final Stage

Status

To be scheduled on completion of the Further Consideration Stage.

Associated information

Associated information will be published here when available.


 

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Royal Assent

Status

Royal Assent will be confirmed when the Bill has completed the legislative process.

Associated information

Associated information will be published here when available.