795,000 kg of extra anchovy quota from the Cantabrian Sea: how it is distributed among purse seiners in 2026

Key data

Purse seine shipowners in the Cantabrian and Northwest have access from September 18, 2026 to additional anchovy quota. The Resolution of September 16, 2026 from the General Secretariat of Fisheries activates the surplus redistribution mechanism: the quota not consumed by xeito, racú, piobardeira and non-grouped purse seine fishing methods —795,545 kg in total— is transferred to organized purse seine groups that do have capture capacity.

The total Spanish quota for anchovy in ICES zone 8 during 2026 is 30,485 tonnes, set in March of this year. This surplus therefore represents slightly less than 3% of the national total, but can be decisive for fishing associations and shipowners who have exhausted or are close to exhausting their initial quota.

What does this regulation establish?

The resolution applies the surplus redistribution mechanism provided for in fishing quota regulations. When certain fishing methods do not consume the quota assigned to them, that unused volume can be transferred to other fleets with greater absorption capacity, rather than being lost.

In this case, the surpluses come from four fishing methods that have not exhausted their quota: xeito, racú, piobardeira and non-grouped purse seine. The total unused volume —795,545 kg— is distributed among organized purse seine groups in POs, proportionally to the initial volume each group had assigned.

The beneficiary groups and additional reserves are as follows:

The distribution criterion among the eight PO groups is proportional to the initial volume assigned to each one: groups with larger starting quotas receive a larger portion of the surplus.

Economic and operational impact

For shipowners integrated into one of the eight beneficiary POs, this resolution means additional capture quota available immediately from September 18. In operational terms, it allows extending or intensifying extractive activity for the remainder of the 2026 campaign without incurring an infraction.

The total volume redistributed —795,545 kg— is equivalent to approximately 2.6% of the total Spanish quota of 30,485 tonnes for 2026. It is not a marginal amount: for fishing associations or shipowners who have consumed their initial quota, it represents the difference between continuing to fish or mooring the vessel until the next campaign.

Non-grouped purse seine vessels also benefit, with a specific reserve of 272,263 kg, which prevents the redistribution from exclusively favoring fleets organized in POs. Small-scale fishing vessels receive a symbolic reserve of 2,627 kg.

Who does it affect?

• Purse seine shipowners integrated in PO-5, PO-6, PO-83, PO-8, PO-62, PO-7, PO-82 or OPPF4 in the Cantabrian and Northwest fishing grounds.
• Non-grouped purse seine vessels operating in ICES zone 8 and able to access the reserve of 272,263 kg.
• Small-scale fishing vessels with access to the reserve of 2,627 kg.
• Fishing associations that manage the activity of affected vessels.
• Fishing fleet managers and advisors who must update available quota records.

The fishing methods of xeito, racú and piobardeira do not receive additional quota in this resolution: they are precisely the ones that have generated the surplus by not consuming their initial allocation.

Practical example

Suppose that PO-8 initially had an anchovy quota assigned that represents 15% of the total distributed among the eight purse seine groups. Applying the proportional criterion, it would be entitled to approximately 15% of the 795,545 kg, that is, about 119,000 kg additional anchovy quota to distribute among the vessels integrated in that group.

A shipowner whose vessel represents 10% of the activity within PO-8 would receive, in turn, around 11,900 kg additional quota. This can equate to several more days of profitable fishing before campaign closure, with a direct impact on the vessel's billing.

For a non-grouped purse seine vessel, the reserve of 272,263 kg will be distributed according to the criteria established by the administration for that group, but in any case represents extra quota available from September 18.

What should companies do now?

1. Verify PO membership: Confirm whether the vessel is integrated in one of the eight beneficiary POs (PO-5, PO-6, PO-83, PO-8, PO-62, PO-7, PO-82, OPPF4) to know if it has direct access to proportional distribution.
2. Consult the additional volume assigned: Contact the corresponding PO or fishing association to know the exact volume of extra quota that corresponds to each vessel after applying the proportional criterion.
3. Update the capture plan: Review the remaining fishing calendar for the 2026 campaign to take advantage of the additional quota available from September 18.
4. Non-grouped vessels: If the purse seine does not belong to any PO, verify the conditions for accessing the reserve of 272,263 kg with the competent fishing administration.
5. Small-scale fishing: Vessels of this fishing method should consult how to access the reserve of 2,627 kg assigned to their group.
6. Right of appeal: If the distribution is considered incorrect, the resolution can be appealed to the Minister within one month from its publication (deadline approximately until October 17, 2026).

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Notice: This article is purely informational in nature 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-2026-19395