UK–EU 2026 TACs deliver mixed outcome for UK fishing industry
UK–EU 2026 TACs deliver mixed outcome for UK fishing industry
Overview
Negotiations between the UK and the EU on total allowable catches (TACs) for 2026 produce a mixed package for the UK fleet. Taken together with a trilateral deal with Norway, the agreements provide access to over 520,000 tonnes of fish for 2026, valued at about £830m. From the UK–EU bilateral alone the UK secures around 150,000t, worth roughly £430m at historic prices.
Winners and losers
Positive outcomes include increased opportunities for pollack and bass, a commercially viable TAC for Irish Sea herring, removal of the 100mm maximum landing size for spurdog and geographic flexibility for Celtic Sea sole. North Sea Nephrops receives a 40% TAC increase.
But several stocks face sharp reductions following ICES advice: Celtic Sea and Channel saithe (very large advised cut), Irish Sea plaice (c.59%), Irish Sea haddock (c.30%), and reductions for North Sea lemon sole, dab, ling and Rockall haddock.
Technical measures and industry response
New technical measures will apply to vessels fishing depleted stocks in the Celtic Sea, Irish Sea and Channel, including larger mesh sizes and new selectivity devices in the Nephrops fishery. Bycatch TACs have also been set for stocks subject to zero-catch advice.
Mike Cohen, chief executive of the NFFO, welcomed some gains but warned that introducing technical measures into annual TAC negotiations could undermine regulatory autonomy and complicate fisheries management plans. Officials will meet industry representatives ahead of the EU Fisheries Council, where final 2026 TACs will be confirmed.