Overview
- The pact will be folded into the EU’s 2026 fishing opportunities regulation covering 95 TACs, allowing up to 288,000 tonnes for EU fleets worth over €1.2 billion, pending ministers’ adoption.
- For megrim in zone VII, the TAC falls 20% to 16,024 tonnes, a smaller reduction than ICES had advised.
- Hake TACs are set at 32,479 tonnes in Gran Sol (-5.8%) and 4,210 tonnes in zone VIIIabde, while monkfish is set at 46,122 tonnes in zone VII (-3%) and 10,971 tonnes in zone VI (-1.2%).
- Nephrops in area VI is cut 21.1% to 16,689 tonnes, alongside mandatory selectivity upgrades including larger mesh sizes and selective devices.
- Spain’s minister Luis Planas will push for higher TACs and more fishing days for its fleet, as EU Commissioner Costas Kadis highlights stability for fishers and Galician vessel owners warn of socioeconomic strain.