Brussels: The European Union and the United Kingdom have reached an agreement on fishing opportunities for 2026, which covers over 95 Total Allowable Catches (TACs) in the North-East Atlantic. This agreement aims to ensure the sustainable management of shared fish stocks while offering stability and predictability for fleets and operators from both the EU and the UK.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the agreement allows EU fleets to fish up to 288,000 tonnes, valued at over £1.2 billion. The stocks covered by this agreement comprise the bulk of the EU’s shared resources with third countries in the North-East Atlantic. The negotiations were based on the best available scientific data regarding fish stock conditions, and both parties addressed socio-economic factors to prevent choke situations that could result in the early closure of certain fisheries.
In May 2025, the EU and the UK agreed to grant full reciprocal access to waters until 2038. This agreement allowed the focus to shift to setting TACs for 2026 and addressing technical measures. Furthermore, today’s agreement guarantees mutual access to waters for albacore tuna fishing until 2030.
Scientific assessments for 2026 have revealed that several key fish stocks in the Celtic Sea, Irish Sea, and Channel-such as cod, haddock, whiting, sole, and plaice-have declined below critical biological thresholds, jeopardizing their capacity to replenish. This has led to reductions in allowable catches and associated revenue for the fishing industry.
To promote the swift recovery of these fish populations, the EU and the UK have agreed on remedial measures, including enhanced gear selectivity, larger mesh sizes, and mandatory selective devices in Nephrops (small lobster) fisheries. Additionally, both parties have agreed to implement precautionary measures for certain stocks, including spurdog, skates and rays, and seabass.
These are the sixth annual consultations on fishing opportunities between the EU and UK, agreed under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). The agreed catch limits will be incorporated into the fishing opportunities Regulation for 2026, expected to be agreed upon at the upcoming meeting of EU fisheries Ministers on 11 and 12 December.
Further consultations will take place during 2026 for three other jointly managed stocks, once the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) releases its scientific advice next year: sandeel (North Sea, all banks), sprat (North Sea and the English Channel), and Norway pout.