UK-EU 2026 TAC agreement yields mixed results for UK fishing
UK-EU 2026 TAC agreement yields mixed results for UK fishing
The bilateral agreement on 2026 total allowable catches (TACs) between the UK and EU produces a mix of gains and losses for British fisheries. The deal increases opportunities for pollack and bass, creates a commercially viable Irish Sea herring TAC, removes the 100mm maximum landing size for spurdog and allows greater geographic flexibility for Celtic Sea sole (area VII). North Sea Nephrops receives a notable 40% TAC rise.
Stocks facing cuts
Despite some positives, ICES advice prompted significant reductions for several stocks. Large advised cuts affect Celtic Sea and Channel saithe, Irish Sea plaice and haddock, North Sea lemon sole and dab, North Sea ling and Rockall haddock. Bycatch TACs were also set for stocks with zero-catch advice including western Channel, southern Celtic Sea and Irish Sea cod, and southern Celtic Sea and Channel haddock and whiting.
Technical measures and industry reaction
The agreement ties new technical measures to TAC negotiations: larger mesh sizes in parts of the Celtic Sea and Channel and new selectivity devices for the Nephrops fishery in the Irish Sea. NFFO chief executive Mike Cohen welcomed some outcomes but warned that embedding technical measures in annual TAC talks could undermine regulatory autonomy and pre-empt fisheries management plans due for consultation in January. He also said the deal gives little explicit recognition to climate-driven changes in southern fisheries.
Economic impact and next steps
Financially, the bilateral package secures about 150,000 tonnes of quota for the UK, valued at roughly £430m based on historic prices, plus continued access to non-quota stocks estimated at about £25m in 2024. Combined with the earlier trilateral deal including Norway, the agreements provide access to over 520,000t for 2026, worth around £830m. Final overall TACs for 2026 are to be confirmed at the EU Fisheries Council.