Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of June 29, 2026, from the General Secretariat of Fisheries (BOE-A-2026-14226) |
|---|---|
| Publication | June 30, 2026 |
| Entry into force | July 1, 2026 |
| Affected parties | Seine fishing fleets in the Cantabrian Sea and Northwest; xeito, racú and piobardeira vessels |
| Category | Agriculture and Fisheries |
| Fishing season | 2026-2027 campaign (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027) |
| Total Spain quota | 1,632 tonnes (stock ANE/9WX10, zone 9a) |
| Previous quota | 2,287 tonnes (previous campaign) |
| Variation | -655 tonnes (-29%) |
| Proposed total EU TAC | 16,323 tonnes |
| Spain / Portugal distribution | 10% Spain / 90% Portugal |
The Spanish Atlantic anchovy fleet faces its most restrictive campaign in recent years. The General Secretariat of Fisheries has published the quota for stock ANE/9WX10 (zone 9a) for the period between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027, setting Spain's share at 1,632 tonnes, compared to 2,287 tonnes in the previous campaign. The 29% reduction responds to the recommendation of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) in light of lower biomass detected in the stock.
The regulatory reference is the Resolution of June 29, 2026 (BOE-A-2026-14226), published on June 30 and effective from the following day.
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution distributes Spain's 1,632-tonne quota into two differentiated blocks and sets weekly catch limits by vessel type:
| Type of fishing / Gear | Assigned quota | Weekly limit |
|---|---|---|
| Directed fishing — seine vessels (Cantabrian Sea and Northwest) | 1,607 tonnes | 10,000 kg (vessels >120 GT or >12 crew) / 8,000 kg (others) |
| Bycatch — xeito, racú and piobardeira | 25 tonnes | Not specified separately |
The total TAC proposed by the EU for this stock is 16,323 tonnes. The distribution between the two Member States with rights to this stock follows the current relative stability: Spain receives 10% and Portugal 90%.
The regulation incorporates two relevant dynamic management mechanisms for fleet operations:
- Preventive closure: the fishery may close when 90% quota consumption is reached, before exhausting the total assigned.
- Limit review: weekly catch limits may be modified based on actual catch evolution throughout the campaign.
Comparison with previous campaign:
| Parameter | Previous campaign | 2026-2027 campaign | Variation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Spain quota | 2,287 t | 1,632 t | -655 t (-29%) |
| Reason for change | — | Lower biomass (ICES recommendation) | — |
Economic and operational impact
A 29% reduction in available quota means, in practical terms, that the seine fishing fleet in the Cantabrian Sea and Northwest must operate with 655 tonnes less than in the previous campaign. For a sector where fresh anchovy prices at auction can fluctuate significantly by season, this cut has a direct impact on the potential revenue of affected fishing associations and shipowners.
Weekly limits also condition trip planning and port logistics:
- Vessels of more than 120 GT or more than 12 crew members cannot land more than 10,000 kg per week.
- The rest of the seine fleet is limited to 8,000 kg weekly.
- Preventive closure at 90% consumption introduces uncertainty about the effective campaign duration, which could shorten if initial catches are intense.
The possibility of reviewing weekly limits requires companies to maintain continuous monitoring of official communications from the General Secretariat of Fisheries throughout the campaign.
Who does it affect?
- Shipowners and fishing associations for seine fishing in the Cantabrian Sea and Northwest with quota assigned to stock ANE/9WX10.
- Xeito, racú and piobardeira vessels operating anchovy bycatch (joint quota of 25 tonnes).
- Canning and processing industries that depend on fresh Atlantic anchovy supply from these fleets.
- Fish auctions and first-sale operators in ports of the Cantabrian Sea and Galicia.
- Fishing association managers and shipowner associations responsible for monitoring and controlling quota consumption.
Practical example
A shipowner with a seine vessel of 150 GT and 14 crew members (exceeds both GT and crew thresholds) is subject to the weekly limit of 10,000 kg. If the campaign extends for the 52 weeks of the period (July 2026 – June 2027) without preventive closure, the theoretical maximum that vessel could catch would be 520 tonnes accumulated weekly, although in practice the total seine fleet quota (1,607 t) is distributed among all vessels with rights.
If the fleet consumes 90% of the 1,607 tonnes assigned to directed fishing —that is, 1,446.3 tonnes— the General Secretariat of Fisheries may activate preventive closure of the fishery, even before exhausting the remaining 160.7 tonnes. This means the effective campaign can be shorter than planned, with consequent impact on trip planning and supply contracts with industry.
What should companies do now?
- Verify the individual quota assigned to each vessel or fishing association through the General Secretariat of Fisheries, to know the available catch margin in the 2026-2027 campaign.
- Adjust trip planning and shifts taking into account weekly limits: 10,000 kg for vessels over 120 GT or more than 12 crew, and 8,000 kg for others.
- Activate quota consumption monitoring from the first day of campaign (July 1, 2026), as preventive closure can be activated upon reaching 90% of total assigned.
- Communicate the reduction to the processing industry with which supply contracts are held, to renegotiate volumes or anticipate possible partial shortages.
- Monitor weekly limit reviews that the General Secretariat of Fisheries may publish throughout the campaign, as limits can be modified based on catch evolution.
- Consult quota distribution among xeito, racú and piobardeira vessels if operating with these gears, given that the joint bycatch quota is only 25 tonnes for the entire campaign.
Frequently asked questions
How many tonnes of anchovy can Spain fish in the 2026-2027 campaign?
Spain has 1,632 tonnes of stock ANE/9WX10 (Atlantic zone 9a) assigned for the period from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. Of these, 1,607 tonnes correspond to directed fishing by seine vessels in the Cantabrian Sea and Northwest, and 25 tonnes are reserved as bycatch for xeito, racú and piobardeira vessels.
Why has the anchovy quota dropped so much compared to last year?
The quota has fallen 29%, dropping from 2,287 tonnes to 1,632 tonnes. The reduction responds to the recommendation of the ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea), which has detected lower biomass in stock ANE/9WX10 and has advised cutting catches to preserve resource sustainability.
What is the weekly anchovy catch limit for my vessel?
It depends on vessel size and crew: if you exceed 120 GT or 12 crew members, the weekly limit is 10,000 kg. For other seine vessels, the limit is 8,000 kg weekly. These limits may be reviewed throughout the campaign based on catch evolution.
When can the anchovy fishery close before exhausting the quota?
The regulation allows preventive closure of the fishery when 90% quota consumption is reached. In the case of directed fishing (1,607 t), this equals approximately 1,446 tonnes caught. The closure decision rests with the General Secretariat of Fisheries.
How is the anchovy quota distributed between Spain and Portugal?
Distribution follows current relative stability on the total TAC proposed by the EU of 16,323 tonnes: Spain receives 10% (1,632 t) and Portugal 90% of the total. This distribution criterion has not changed from previous campaigns.
Official source
Consult complete regulation at 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-2026-14226