Small inshore prawn boat
Run a small licensed boat catching prawns in local waters and sell to merchants, markets or restaurants.
- £20k-100k
- Part-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
2,243 UK companies in this field, 14% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 03110 “Marine fishing”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
Owner-run fishing from a small inshore boat, usually under 10 metres, catching prawns with creels (pots) or small trawls close to the coast. You land the catch daily and sell it fresh or live.
Your first three steps
- Spend time crewing on a local inshore boat to learn the work and the local grounds
- Contact your fisheries authority (MMO, Marine Scotland, Welsh Government or DAERA) to ask how to get a vessel licence and what prawn fishing is allowed in your area
- Book the mandatory sea safety training and talk to local merchants and restaurants about what they would buy
Who pays
Fish merchants, local markets, restaurants, fishmongers and sometimes the public if you sell direct from the quay.
How it makes money
You sell the catch by weight. Prices vary with season, size and quality, and selling direct to restaurants or customers usually pays more than selling to a merchant.
Skills that help
- Boat handling and seamanship
- Comfortable with hard physical work at sea
- Reading weather and tides
- Building relationships with buyers
Watch out for
- Fishing licences are tied to the vessel, so check how to buy a boat that already has the right licence and entitlement
- Some prawn stocks have catch limits or quotas, and rules differ between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
- Check vessel registration, safety equipment and survey requirements with the MCA and your fisheries authority
- Mandatory sea survival and safety training for anyone working on board
- Catch recording and landing rules apply, and selling direct to the public may need registration with your local council as a food business
- Insurance for the vessel, crew and equipment, and dangerous working conditions
- Weather and seasonal catches can make income uneven
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: small inshore prawn boat
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start an inshore prawn fishing business?
Startup costs are typically around £20,000 to £100,000, depending on the boat, its existing licence and entitlement, creels or trawl gear, safety equipment and insurance. Boats that already carry the right licence can affect what you pay.
How much can a small prawn boat earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on your catch, the buyers you sell to and the season. Weather and seasonal catches can make income uneven, and the estimate starts from about 25 hours a week.
What licences and rules apply to prawn fishing in the UK?
Things to check: fishing licences are tied to the vessel, catch limits or quotas, and rules that differ between nations. Also check vessel registration and survey with the MCA, sea survival training, catch recording, food business registration for direct sales, and insurance.
Similar farming and garden ideas
Full-time small farm selling beef, lamb or pork direct
Run a small grass-fed herd or flock as your main job and sell direct to customers rather than through the wholesale market.
- £20k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Local farm inputs store
Run a small rural unit stocking fertiliser and crop protection for nearby farms and growers.
- £25k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Full and part livery yard
Run a yard with stables, turnout and daily care for owners who want their horse looked after properly.
- £20k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Pick-your-own farm with a farm shop
Run a larger pick-your-own site with several crops, a small farm shop and a team of seasonal helpers.
- £20k-90k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small-scale turf grower and supplier
Grow, harvest and sell your own turf from rented or owned land to local landscapers and homeowners.
- £25k-120k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Orchid nursery for florists and retail
Run a larger greenhouse nursery growing orchids for florists, garden centres and visiting customers.
- £15k-75k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Photo: johndinamba on Pixabay