The UK has successfully reached agreements with the EU, Norway, and other coastal states on fishing opportunities for 2026, securing access to over 520,000 tonnes of shared stocks, particularly for popular whitefish in the North Sea. These opportunities are valued at approximately £830 million, with additional multilateral consultations bringing the total UK fishing opportunities to £840 million, including a significant increase in the bluefin tuna quota from 63 to 231 tonnes.
The deals come amid scientific warnings about the depletion of key stocks such as cod, whiting, haddock, sole, and plaice. As part of the agreements, all parties are committed to implementing measures to recover and safeguard these stocks for future generations. Fisheries Minister Dame Angela Eagle emphasized that the negotiations balance securing valuable opportunities for UK fisheries while taking action to protect marine ecosystems, ensuring both sustainability and community livelihoods.
The UK’s approach to the negotiations prioritized sustainability and was guided by scientific evidence from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). Stakeholders, including the fishing industry, recreational fishers, and environmental organizations, were consulted to ensure the agreements reflect practical realities and support the long-term health of marine ecosystems. The UK government also coordinated with devolved administrations to distribute the benefits across the country.
Annual negotiations with other coastal states determine total allowable catches (TACs) for around 100 fish stocks, setting limits that align with stock health and scientific advice. A bilateral deal with the EU secured 150,000 tonnes of fishing opportunities worth £430 million, alongside continued access to non-quota stocks valued at £25 million. Key priorities included increased opportunities for pollack and seabass, a viable TAC for Irish Sea herring, and new technical measures such as larger mesh sizes and selectivity devices to protect vulnerable stocks.
A trilateral agreement with the EU and Norway provides 290,000 tonnes of North Sea and surrounding waters opportunities, valued at £380 million. This deal also ensures sustainable management of North Sea herring and protection for Northern Shelf cod. Agreements with other coastal states secured access to blue whiting and Norwegian spring-spawning herring, worth an estimated £20 million, with TACs set according to ICES guidance.
International negotiations through the NEAFC and NAFO strengthened monitoring, control, and surveillance measures, aligning with FAO guidelines and securing cod opportunities in the Northwest Atlantic worth around £5 million. ICCAT negotiations increased the UK’s bluefin tuna quota, supporting both commercial and recreational fisheries, while also advancing measures to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and protect vulnerable shark species.
The UK also contributed to UN General Assembly consultations on sustainable fisheries, ensuring references to the status of global fish stocks and bycatch protection for endangered seabirds. The outcome of the 2026 fisheries negotiations will be officially published in the Secretary of State determination for UK fishing opportunities, with all values based on historic 2024 landing prices to provide consistent year-on-year comparisons. Negotiations with the Faroe Islands and other coastal states regarding North-East Atlantic mackerel remain ongoing.
