UK secures £840m in fishing opportunities for 2026
UK secures £840m in fishing opportunities for 2026
The UK government has announced a package of international fisheries agreements that secure over 520,000 tonnes of catch opportunities for 2026, valued at about £830m. Including outcomes from multilateral consultations, the total value of opportunities secured rises to approximately £840m. The agreements span bilateral, trilateral and regional forums and include a major uplift in bluefin tuna quota.
Scope of the agreements
Negotiations with the EU, Norway and other coastal states set total allowable catches (TACs) for shared stocks. A UK-EU bilateral deal secures roughly 150,000 tonnes of opportunities, while a trilateral agreement with the EU and Norway covers about 290,000 tonnes in the North Sea and adjacent waters. Additional arrangements with other coastal states cover stocks such as blue whiting and Atlanto-Scandian herring.
Quota changes and values
The UK secured an increase in bluefin tuna quota from 63 tonnes to 230.65 tonnes for 2026–2028, supporting development of commercial and recreational fisheries. Estimated values use 2024 landing prices and assume full uptake; figures are rounded and subject to final analysis.
Stock protection and management measures
Negotiators emphasised that many stocks remain under pressure—cod, whiting, haddock, sole and plaice are highlighted as vulnerable. Agreements include technical measures to reduce overfishing, such as changes to mesh sizes and selectivity measures in sensitive areas, and commitments to follow ICES scientific advice to aid stock recovery.
International forums and oversight
The UK also secured outcomes at NEAFC, NAFO and ICCAT, and secured references in UN General Assembly consultations addressing bycatch and global stock status. Defra says it will continue working with devolved administrations, industry stakeholders and NGOs to implement measures and support fishing communities into 2026.