UK-EU 2026 TACs deliver mixed outcomes for fisheries
UK-EU bilateral deal yields mixed 2026 TACs
Overview
The UK and EU have finalised bilateral agreements setting total allowable catches (TACs) for 2026 for shared stocks. The package produces clear wins for some fisheries but sharp reductions and new restrictions for others, reflecting challenging scientific advice from ICES across multiple stocks.
Notable gains
Positive outcomes include increased opportunities for pollack and bass, a commercially viable TAC for Irish Sea herring, and the removal of the 100mm maximum landing size for spurdog. North Sea Nephrops receives a significant uplift, with the TAC rising by 40%. The UK also secured greater geographic flexibility for sole in the Celtic Sea (area VII).
Reductions and technical measures
Several whitefish stocks face large cuts after adverse advice: Celtic Sea and Channel saithe, Irish Sea plaice and haddock, North Sea ling and rockall haddock among them. To address depleted cod, whiting, haddock, sole and plaice in the Celtic Sea, Irish Sea and Channel, the deal introduces technical measures such as larger mesh sizes and selectivity devices in the Nephrops fishery. Bycatch TACs have been set for stocks given zero-catch advice.
Economic impact and access
The bilateral secures roughly 150,000 tonnes of quota opportunities for the UK, valued at about £430m using historic landing prices, plus continued access to non-quota stocks worth an estimated £25m. Combined with the earlier trilateral agreement with Norway, the arrangements open access to over 520,000 tonnes of fishing opportunities, with an estimated combined value near £830m. Final overall TACs were to be confirmed at the EU Fisheries Council on 11–12 December.
Industry response
NFFO chief executive Mike Cohen said there were welcome elements but expressed concern that introducing technical measures into annual TAC negotiations could undermine UK regulatory autonomy and pre-empt forthcoming fishery management plan consultations. Officials plan further briefings for the industry in the coming days to explain the implications in detail.