Additional fishing days 2026: what Mediterranean trawlers must do

Key data

Mediterranean bottom trawlers have a very narrow window of time to earn extra days of activity in 2026. The Resolution of June 17, 2026 from the General Secretariat of Fisheries activates the incentive mechanism provided for in article 5 of Order APA/423/2020: those who adopt less harmful trawling equipment for the seabed receive additional fishing days. The timeframe to act is 15 calendar days from publication.

What does this regulation establish?

The resolution convenes, for the 2026 fiscal year, additional fishing days for the Mediterranean bottom trawl fleet that voluntarily adopts measures to reduce impact on the seabed. The incentive is articulated through article 5 of Order APA/423/2020, which regulates the management plan for demersal fish resources in the Mediterranean.

The eligible equipment is as follows:

• Flying doors: eligible directly with declaration of responsibility.
• Semi-pelagic doors: eligible directly with declaration of responsibility.
• Other types of doors: require additional technical documentation that proves effective reduction of seabed contact.

The distribution of additional days is carried out linearly by vessel length category and fishery type. The commitment to use authorized doors must be maintained throughout 2026, and vessels must have the equipment installed by no later than July 15, 2026.

Economic and operational impact

More fishing days directly equal greater catch capacity and therefore greater potential revenue for the shipowner. The 3% incentive on days allocated to Spain may seem modest in percentage terms, but for a vessel with few authorized activity days, each additional day has significant economic value.

From an operational perspective, shipowners must assess two aspects:

• Cost of equipment adaptation: investment in flying doors or semi-pelagic doors is the main expense. For non-standard alternative doors, the cost of obtaining and presenting technical documentation is added.
• Risk of non-compliance: if the commitment is not maintained throughout 2026 or the doors are not installed before July 15, the shipowner loses the assigned additional days and may face sanctions under the State Maritime Fisheries Law.

The economic balance depends on the market value of target species and the number of additional days corresponding to the vessel's length category. In any case, the incentive is a real opportunity to improve annual profitability without increasing base fishing effort.

Who does it affect?

• Shipowners of bottom trawl vessels operating in the Spanish Mediterranean.
• Companies owning or managing demersal trawl fleet in the Mediterranean.
• Fishing guilds and sector associations that advise their members on fishing day management.
• Fleet managers and technical advisors who process documentation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Practical example

A shipowner with a medium-length bottom trawler operating in the Mediterranean decides to install flying doors before July 15, 2026. The process to follow is as follows:

1. Submits a declaration of responsibility at the electronic office of the Ministry within 15 calendar days from June 20, 2026 (approximate deadline: July 5, 2026).
2. Installs the flying doors on the vessel before July 15, 2026.
3. Maintains the use of authorized doors throughout the rest of 2026.
4. Receives the allocation of additional days corresponding to its vessel length category and fishery type, calculated on 3% of the days allocated to Spain.

If instead opting for a door type other than flying or semi-pelagic doors, the shipowner should accompany the declaration of responsibility with technical documentation proving that this model effectively reduces seabed contact. Without that documentation, the application would not be valid.

What should companies do now?

1. Verify if the vessel meets the requirements to benefit from the incentive (bottom trawl fleet, operation in Spanish Mediterranean).
2. Decide the type of door to install: flying or semi-pelagic doors (simplified processing) or others (require technical documentation).
3. Submit the declaration of responsibility at the electronic office of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food within 15 calendar days from June 20, 2026.
4. Install the authorized doors on the vessel before July 15, 2026.
5. Maintain the commitment throughout 2026: the use of authorized equipment must be continuous. Non-compliance results in loss of additional days and possible sanctions under the State Maritime Fisheries Law.
6. Keep documentation proving installation and use of equipment, in case it is required during an inspection.

Official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-13443