European Fishing Marathon Concludes with Favorable Agreement

BRUSSELS – Portugal has achieved a favorable agreement on fishing quotas for 2026 following two days of intensive negotiations, successfully minimizing cuts for sole and addressing those for red seabream.
“After two days of hard work, we have a positive agreement,” stated the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, José Manuel Fernandes, highlighting that “the fishing opportunities exceed the catches” previously held by Portugal, indicating “predictability and stability.”
For red seabream, a vital species for the Azores, Portugal gained a 12% increase in its national quota for 2027, with part of this increase applied to 2026, which has a 3% reduction, utilizing the interannual flexibility mechanism.
Regarding sole, the European Commission initially proposed a 28% cut, which was ultimately reduced to 9%.
Secretary of State for Fisheries, Salvador Malheiro, reported that solutions were also found for monkfish, with a 1% reduction (down from the proposed 2%) compensated by quota exchanges with Spain.
Negotiations concerning black scabbardfish were conducted with France to offset a 55% cut affecting the Sesimbra region. In return, Portugal will relinquish some hake and megrim catches to Madrid and Paris.
“We face significant challenges with black scabbardfish, but we have secured a guarantee from France for an additional 150 tonnes, and more importantly, there is a commitment for multiple reinforcements throughout the year,” said Salvador Malheiro.
For cod, a total of 3,506 tonnes is assured, including an additional 800 tonnes from Newfoundland, Canada, while negotiations with Norway regarding other aspects are still ongoing. Additionally, the 55% cuts for black scabbardfish will not impact Madeira, which will retain its current quota for 2026. In the autonomous regions, catches of bluefin tuna, a key species in sushi and commercially significant in the autonomous regions and the Algarve, will increase by 17% in 2026 to 747 tonnes after extensive negotiations in Brussels.
The total allowable catches for other species managed by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) – including swordfish, bigeye tuna, albacore, and blue shark – will remain unchanged from 2025 levels. The European Union fisheries ministers reached an agreement early today on total allowable catches and corresponding national quotas after two days of discussions stretching from Friday night into today. (13/12/25)