The agreement announced today outlines the catch volume for European vessels in the Atlantic, North Sea, Mediterranean, Baltic, Black Sea, and in some cases also assesses the risk for “certain fish stocks for 2027 and 2028,” according to the EU statement.
Horse mackerel is expected to see a 5% reduction in catches in Portuguese waters, decreasing from 59,266 tons in 2025 to 56,520 in 2026.
Regarding Norway lobster, the agreement forecasts a 23% reduction in fishing in Portuguese waters, from 239 to 185 tons, while for plaice, predictions suggest a 20% decrease, going from 124 to 99 tons.
For sole, fished in Madeira, mainland Portugal, and the Azores, authorities foresee a 9% reduction in catches, from 540 tons in 2025 to 492 in 2026, while pollock fishing in national waters is expected to decrease by 13%.
For thornback ray, there is no change in fishing volume (remaining at 50 tons), while redfish will see a slight reduction (3%), from 392 to 382 tons, but the agreement anticipates an 11.4% increase over the current value in 2027.
For 2026, the EU also projects the complete cessation of anchovy fishing in the Azores area and a 60% increase in the southern maritime zone of Portugal, from the current 7,266 tons to 11,639 in 2026.
The agreement, reached after two days of negotiations, sets catch limits, known as “total allowable catches” and “fishing effort limits for the most important commercial fish stocks,” European authorities mentioned.
The fish stocks covered by the agreement “are those managed solely by the EU, jointly with neighboring non-EU countries, or through agreements made in regional fisheries management organizations,” and the fishing effort pertains to the size and engine power of a vessel, combined with the number of days devoted to fishing.
“Following the UK’s exit from the EU, fish stocks managed jointly by the EU and the UK are considered shared resources under international law,” stated the final communiqué.
