The 2J3KL division remained closed to cod fishing for 32 years due to the collapse of cod stocks in the waters off Canada and Newfoundland.
This year, the total allowable catch (TAC) more than doubled compared to 2024, reaching 40,000 tons, with Portugal allotted a quota of 495 tons for the period from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
Last year, the TAC was set at 18,947 tons, giving Portugal a quota of 234 tons.
The area reopened last year following the issuance of a scientific opinion by Canada and subsequent fishing opportunities set by the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO). These TACs and their respective quotas are effective from July 1 of each year to June 30 of the following year.
The Portuguese deep-sea trawler fleet operates in the NAFO regulatory area with a limited number of vessels, targeting demersal species such as cod, Greenland halibut, and redfish, among others.
The cod TAC negotiated between the EU and Canada will be included in the December fisheries negotiations package for 2026.
