Atlantic Tuna Fishing: What Changes for European Fleets in 2026

Key data

Spanish fishing companies and shipowners with activity in the Atlantic face new operational obligations following the publication of the Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1342, on 24 August 2026. This regulation modifies Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/98 and incorporates into European legislation the latest agreements adopted within two key international bodies: ICCAT (Atlantic tuna) and NAFO (Northwestern Atlantic).

The impact is significant: any European vessel fishing in these waters must operate under the new conservation and management rules, or risk administrative sanctions and even loss of its fishing license.

What does this regulation establish?

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1342 updates the 2015 regulation that transposes into European law the decisions adopted in the two main international fishing conventions in the Atlantic:

The regulation adapts European legislation to the latest agreements adopted by these bodies. According to published information, changes may include modifications to one or more of the following elements:

• Catch quotas: review of maximum permitted volumes by species and area.
• Minimum sizes: update of size limits below which capture and landing are prohibited.
• Permitted fishing gear: possible restrictions or modifications to authorized equipment in certain areas or for certain species.
• Closed seasons: changes to time windows during which fishing activity is prohibited.

The published regulation does not detail the specific numerical values for each of these parameters, as the specific technical content (exact quotas, sizes, closure dates) is contained in the full text of the regulation available from the official source.

Economic and operational impact

For fishing companies, changes resulting from this regulation may translate into direct and immediate economic consequences:

• Reduction in catches: if quotas are adjusted downward, campaign revenues may decrease significantly with no possibility of short-term compensation.
• Operational adaptation costs: a change in permitted fishing gear may require replacement or modification of on-board equipment, with corresponding expenditure.
• Forced shutdowns: extension of closed seasons means periods of inactivity that directly affect the shipowner's bottom line.
• Risk of sanctions: non-compliance with any of the new measures may result in administrative sanctions and loss of fishing license, which means total paralysis of operations.

The regulation modifies Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/98, so any company that already had its procedures adapted to that previous regulation must review what specific aspects have changed and update its operational protocols.

Who does it affect?

• Shipowners and fishing companies with vessels operating in the Atlantic (north, south or adjacent seas) under ICCAT quotas.
• Fleets fishing in the Northwestern Atlantic under the NAFO management framework.
• Processing and canning companies that depend on the supply of catches subject to these quotas, as a reduction in available volume affects their supply chain.
• Legal and technical advisors in the fishing sector who manage licenses, fishing logs and landing declarations.
• Fishermen's associations and producer organizations that distribute and manage quotas among their members.

Practical example

A Galician shipowner with two tuna vessels operating in the North Atlantic under ICCAT quota currently has its procedures adjusted to Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/98. With the entry into force of Regulation 2026/1342, he must:

1. Verify whether the quota assigned to his fleet has changed compared to the previous year, to adjust the campaign plan and advance sales contracts.
2. Check whether the minimum sizes of target species have changed, to avoid catches that cannot be landed and represent direct loss.
3. Review whether the fishing gear currently used remains compliant, or whether he must replace or adapt any equipment before the next trip.
4. Update the fishing log and catch declaration systems with the new parameters, to avoid formal violations that could result in administrative sanctions or loss of license.

If he does not conduct this review before the next campaign, he operates at risk of regulatory non-compliance with serious economic and administrative consequences.

What should companies do now?

1. Download and read the full text of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1342 in the EU Official Journal to identify specific changes compared to Regulation 2015/98 that you already apply.
2. Review the quotas assigned to your fleet in light of the new limits established by ICCAT and NAFO, and adjust the fishing campaign plan for the current year.
3. Verify compliance of fishing gear used with the new technical specifications allowed, and budget for possible equipment adaptations.
4. Update operational calendars to incorporate any new closed season or temporary restriction established by the regulation.
5. Review catch recording and declaration systems (electronic fishing logs, landing declarations) to reflect the new regulatory parameters.
6. Consult with a legal or technical advisor specialized in fisheries to assess the specific impact on your license and supply contracts, especially if you operate in both areas (ICCAT and NAFO).

Official source

View 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://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202601342