The European Union and the United Kingdom reached an agreement on fishing opportunities for 2026, covering over 95 Total Allowable Catches (TACs) in the North-East Atlantic. This arrangement aims to ensure the sustainable management of shared fish stocks, while offering stability and predictability for fleets and operators from both sides.
This agreement ensures EU fleets can fish up to 288,000 tonnes, worth over €1.2 billion. It holds particular significance as the stocks covered comprise the bulk of the EU's shared resources with third countries in the North-East Atlantic.
The EU and the UK carried out negotiations based on the best available scientific data regarding fish stock conditions. 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 has allowed negotiations to concentrate on the setting of total allowable catches (TACs) for 2026 and on addressing technical measures. Furthermore, today's agreement guarantees mutual access to waters for albacore tuna fishing until 2030.
Landmark agreement to safeguard endangered fish stocks
Scientific assessments for 2026 revealed that several key fish stocks in the Celtic Sea, Irish Sea and Channel - cod, haddock, whiting, sole, and plaice - have declined below critical biological thresholds, jeopardizing their capacity to replenish. This leads to reductions in allowable catches and associated revenue for the fishing industry.
To promote the swift recovery of these fish populations, the EU and UK have agreed on a set of remedial measures, including enhanced gear selectivity, larger mesh sizes, and mandatory selective devices in Nephrops (small lobster) fisheries.
In addition, both parties have agreed to implement precautionary measures for certain stocks, including spurdog, skates and rays, and seabass.
Next steps
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 between the EU and the UK will be incorporated into the fishing opportunities Regulation for 2026, which is expected to be agreed at the upcoming meeting of EU fisheries Ministers on 11 and 12 December.
The EU and the UK will hold in-year consultations 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.
