User Tips
In this section you can find tips on the following;
- Passwords
- Paying by Credit Card
- Using the Custom Date Range Picker
- Mouse Functionality
- Keyboard Functionality
- Copying Text
- To Do List
- Opening CSV Files in Excel - all data in one column
- Recommended Web Browsers
Passwords
Your password is confidential to you. It is stored in an encrypted form in the FishServe database and is not able to be viewed by anyone.
All passwords or passphrases must meet the following requirements:
1) For passwords;
- Contain at least 10 characters and meet 3 of the following 4 requirements:
- Contain at least one upper case letter.
- Contain at least one lower case letter.
- Contain at least one special character.
- Contain at least one number.
2) OR, for a passphrase:
- Contain at least 16 characters.
It is recommended that you do not disclose your password to anyone, and that you change your password regularly.
How do I change my password?
You can use the Change Password feature to change your existing password through the website - without having to reset your security questions.
1). To do this, login to FishServe using your existing details. Click on your name in the top-right corner of the screen and select Change Password from the drop-down menu.
2). The Change Password window will display. You will need to enter your current password before making any changes.
What do I do if I forget my user name?
On the login page click 'I forgot my password or username' and then select 'user name'. Enter the email address associated with your user account and we will send you an email containing your user name.
What do I do if I forget my password?
On the login page click 'I forgot my password or username' and then select 'password'. Enter the email address associated with your user account and we will send you an email with a link that will eanble you to reset your password.
You will be given three chances to enter the correct password. If you fail to enter the correct password on your third attempt, you will be locked out for 30 minutes.
What is a ‘Passphrase’ and how does it differ from a regular password?
Passphrases are essentially regular passwords, except for 2 important characteristics:
- They require at least 16 characters; but
- They do not require a minimum complexity requirement.
Examples of what would be an acceptable passphrase include; "to be or not to be", "the future is now", or "the stars have eyes". (Note, however, that these examples are blacklisted from being valid passphrases as they have been used here as examples).
Because a passphrase simply needs to meet the minimum length requirements as described above, the following security recommendations should be considered when creating your passphrase:
- Don’t choose a famous quotation that might make guessing easier
- Don’t choose something about yourself that someone else who knows you might be able to guess by intuition
- Make it easy for you and only you to remember, and ensure you type it accurately
If you do wish to create a passphrase instead of a regular password, enter the value you wish to use and when the system recognises that you’ve met the minimum requirements for setting one, a green tick will appear next to the passphrase minimum requirements rule, like so:
If you have any questions or queries about setting a passphrase, please don’t hesitate to contact one of our team to help out.
Paying by Credit Card Online
Your payment details have the security offered by Paystation Limited. Credit Card details will be sent directly to the acquiring institution for processing. No card data is available to or used by FishServe.
Any fees required for applications or services are not refundable.
When paying by credit card, you will be required to enter the CVV/CVC number that can be found on the back of the credit card in addition to the normal credit card number. The diagram below shows where to find the CVV/CVC number on your credit card.
After paying by credit card, you will be emailed a payment receipt. A diary event will also be created with this receipt attached. For example;
Using the Custom Date Range Picker
Throughout the new online services pages you will find date pickers. These are used in any field where a date is required.
You can download or quick guide to using the date picker here.
The date picker for a Custom Range works as follows;
1). Find the start date of your range. Use the 
or 
symbols to change months/years.
2). When you have found the month/year you need, select the day. This will set the start date of your range.
3). Find the end date of your range. Use the or symbols to change months/years.
4). When you have found the month/year you need, select the day. This will set the end date of your range.
5). Select Apply to use your selected date range.
Mouse Functionality
Any blue text you see onscreen is a hyperlink. This means you can click on it and something will happen. For example, further information can be found or an action can be taken.
When your mouse icon changes from an arrow 
to a hand 
, this is an indication that you can click that area onscreen.
If you wish, you can also right click and select 'Open in new tab' to open the link in a new browser window. This will keep your current position in the system on one tab whilst also showing you the new page you have selected on another.
Hover your mouse icon over this symbol 
to view further information on that field or column.
Expanding grid rows
Many of our online services pages have grid rows. These can be expanded to find more information.
For example;
- In the MHR Summary screen, if you click on the Month/Year where there has been more than one version, the row will expand to show the amendments that have occurred for that reporting period.
- In the ACE&Catch screen, if you click on the stock code, the row will expand to show the history of ACE allocations, transfers and MHRs that have affected your ACE holdings and catch for that stock.
Keyboard Functionality
Tab and Enter keys have the same functionality. For example when entering stocks on an MHR, Tab and Enter both select the highlighted stock from the list and move to the catch field. Therefore you can enter MHR catch details without the need for a mouse;
- Start typing a stock code
- Use the arrow keys to highlight the desired stock code in the list that appears
- Press Tab or Enter to select it
- Type in a catch amount
- Press Tab or Enter to add another row and begin again.
Copying Text
Our online services pages have a dark background with white text. If you need to copy and paste the text to a word document, it may paste as white text which will not be visible. If this happens try pasting the text as unformatted instead.
1). In your word document select Paste Special
2). Select Unformatted Text and OK
To Do List​
| MHR/LFRR Due | |
 |
Appears: On the 12th day of a month, if you held a permit at any time during the previous month and have not yet completed a return. Removed: The item remains until a return is completed or it becomes overdue after the 15th. |
| MHR/LFRR Overdue | |
 |
Appears: If a due return has not been completed by the 15th of a month. The due reminder is replaced by an overdue reminder. On the 3rd of the next month, if the return is still overdue, you will receive another email reminder. Removed: The item remains until a return is completed. |
| MHR/LFRR Discrepancy Exists | |
 |
Appears: Whenever a discrepancy has been identified. This occurs at balancing or after any amendment or late submitted returns. Removed: The item remains until an amendment has been processed to fix the discrepancy or you have chosen the Ignore Discrepancies button. |
| Fishing Permit Due to Expire | |
 |
Appears: Approximately 6 weeks before your permit is due to expire. Removed: The item remains until your permit is reissued or it becomes expired. |
| Fishing Permit has Expired | |
 |
Appears: When your permit has expired. The due-to-expire reminder is replaced by an expired reminder. On the 12th of the next month, if the permit has not been reissued you will receive a final email reminder. Removed: The item remains until your permit is reissued, or until 4 weeks after your permit has expired. |
| Vessel Registration Due to Expire | |
 |
Appears: Approximately 6 weeks before your vessel registration is due to expire. Removed: The item remains until your vessel registration is renewed or it becomes expired. |
| Vessel Registration has Expired | |
 |
Appears: When your vessel registration has expired. The due-to-expire reminder is replaced by an expired reminder. On the 12th of the next month, if the vessel registration has not been renewed you will receive a final email reminder. Removed: The item remains until your vessel registration is renewed, or until 4 weeks after your registration has expired. |
| Included Person Request | |
 |
Appears: When someone declares you as an included person you will receive an email request. If you haven't accepted or declined the request by the 12th of the following month, this review reminder will appear. It turns red after 1 month. Removed: The item remains until you have accepted or declined the request. |
| Annual Update Due | |
 |
Appears: On the 12th day of your designated annual update month. You are given 21 days to complete the annual update before it becomes overdue. Removed: The item remains until your annual update is completed or becomes overdue. |
| Annual Update Overdue | |
 |
Appears: If you have not completed your annual update by the due date. The due reminder is replaced by an overdue reminder. On the 12th of the next month, if you still have not completed your annual update you will receive another email reminder. Removed: The item remains until your annual update is completed. |
Opening CSV Files in Excel - all data in one column
Some of our information screens are exportable in CSV file format for use in programmes such as Microsoft Excel.
Sometimes when you open these files in Excel, you may find all the data in one column. This commonly occurs after upgrading to Windows 10.
Windows 10 can have the “list separator” set to a ‘;’ which is common in European computer settings. The US, UK and other countries such as New Zealand use a comma ‘,’ instead. This is what the FishServe export functionality uses.
To set your computer to use a ‘,’ and correctly display CSV files in Excel, follow the steps below;
1). On your computer, select Start > Control Panel
2). Select Change date, time, or number formats
3). Select Additional Settings
4). Select List Separator
5). And change the value to a comma ‘,’
6). Select Apply then OK twice to exit out of the settings.
When you next open an exported CSV file in Microsoft Excel the data should now display correctly across multiple columns.
Recommended Web Browsers
Our website is designed to be compatible with a broad range of web browsers, however we strongly recommend the use of any of following web browsers' latest version for a better experience;