The EU and UK agree on fishing opportunities for 2025 worth €1.4 billion for EU fishers

Brussels: The EU and the United Kingdom reached an agreement on fishing opportunities for 2025 for more than 88 total allowable catches (TACs) in the North-East Atlantic.

The agreement will contribute to the sustainable management of fish stocks jointly managed by the EU and the UK, as well as provide stability and predictability for fleets and operators from both parties.

This deal secures fishing opportunities for the EU fleet for about 428,000 tonnes, estimated to be worth almost €1.4 billion based on historic EU wholesale prices, adjusted for inflation. This agreement is important as the negotiated stocks represent most of the EU’s stocks of interest in non-EU countries of the North-East Atlantic.

These are the fifth annual consultations on fishing opportunities between the EU and UK agreed under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). They establish total allowable catch limits (TACs) for shared stocks in 2025, and reciprocal access to waters for albacore tuna fishing.

The EU based its negotiating position on the EU common fisheries policy (CFP), including sea-basin related multiannual plans. The EU and the UK conducted these negotiations guided by the best available scientific advice on the status of fish stocks. Socio-economic considerations were also taken into account to avoid choke situations that would lead to a premature closure of certain fisheries.

Besides the key role played by Member States in supporting the conclusion of this agreement, negotiations highlighted the importance of the Specialised Committee on Fisheries (SCF), which facilitated cooperation and contributed to the positive outcome.

The agreement also establishes a clear set of priorities for future SCF work, including cooperation on joint technical measures to protect vulnerable stocks across sea basins.

The agreed catch limits will be incorporated into the Fishing Opportunities Regulation for 2025, which will be agreed at political level during the Council of EU fisheries Ministers on 9 and 10 December.

The parties will hold in-year consultations during 2025 for three other jointly managed stocks, for which the ICES scientific advice does not align with the calendar year: sandeel (North Sea, all banks), sprat (North Sea and the English Channel) and Norway pout.