Fishing quotas 2026: what changes for blackspot seabream, alfonsinos and black scabbardfish

Key data

The fishing quotas for blackspot seabream, alfonsinos and black scabbardfish for 2026 have changed. The Resolution of 9 April 2026 from the General Secretariat of Fisheries, published on 15 April, modifies the original distribution approved on 10 January 2026. The result is an adjustment in the permitted catch volumes by fleet that directly affects the operational planning of the vessels involved.

If your company or vessel operates on any of these three species, the January figures are no longer valid. Working with outdated quotas is the most direct path to an overfishing violation.

What does this regulation establish?

The April 2026 resolution introduces an adjustment in the distribution of Spanish quotas for three fish species for the 2026 fiscal year. These quotas are distributed among two groups of fleets:

• Fleets from the national fishing ground, operating in ICES zones 8C and 9A
• Fleets operating in waters regulated by NEAFC (North Atlantic Fisheries Commission)

The three affected species, with their official codes, are:

In addition to the adjustment of catch volumes, the resolution updates or clarifies the fishery management measures applicable to these species. This may include technical conditions on how, when and where catches can be made.

The regulation being modified is the Resolution of 10 January 2026, which established the initial distribution of these quotas for the entire year. The April change means that the original January data is partially replaced by the new assigned values.

Economic and operational impact

A mid-year quota adjustment has direct consequences on vessel operations and the financial results of fishing companies:

• Altered catch planning: Vessels that had already scheduled their fishing trips and catch targets for 2026 must review whether their plans remain viable with the new assigned quotas.
• Risk of unintentional overfishing: If a vessel has been operating since January with the original data without knowing about the adjustment, it may have consumed quota that is no longer available. This exposes the owner to administrative penalties.
• Loss of future fishing rights: Quota non-compliance not only generates immediate financial penalties. The regulation expressly provides for the possibility of loss of future fishing rights, which can compromise the long-term viability of the company.
• Impact on contracts and commercial commitments: If a company has supply commitments for blackspot seabream, alfonsinos or black scabbardfish for the rest of 2026, a quota reduction may affect its ability to fulfill them.

Who does it affect?

• Owners of Spanish fishing vessels that catch blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo)
• Owners of Spanish fishing vessels that catch alfonsinos (Beryx spp)
• Owners of Spanish fishing vessels that catch black scabbardfish (Aphanopus carbo)
• Fishing companies with fleets operating in the national fishing ground, ICES zones 8C and 9A
• Fishing companies with fleets operating in waters regulated by NEAFC
• Managers and executives of vessel-owning companies who oversee quota planning and regulatory compliance
• Advisors and consultants who manage regulatory compliance for fishing sector companies

Practical example

A Galician vessel owner with two boats operating in ICES zone 9A dedicated mainly to blackspot seabream fishing planned his fishing trips for all of 2026 based on the quota assigned in the Resolution of 10 January 2026.

Following the adjustment published on 15 April, the quota available for his fleet in that area has changed. If the owner does not review the new allocation and continues operating with January data, there is a risk that his accumulated catches will exceed the new permitted limit before the year ends.

The result: an overfishing violation that can lead to administrative penalties and, depending on severity, loss of fishing rights for future years. The solution is simple but urgent: compare accumulated catches since January with the new assigned quota and adjust planning for the rest of the year.

What should companies do now?

1. Obtain the new resolution: Download and read the Resolution of 9 April 2026 published in the BOE to learn the new quota volumes assigned to each fleet and area.
2. Compare with the January allocation: Contrast the new values with those of the Resolution of 10 January 2026 to identify exactly what has changed in the quotas for blackspot seabream (SBR/678-), alfonsinos (ALF/3X14-) and black scabbardfish (BSF/8910-).
3. Audit accumulated catches: Review how much quota has been consumed since January to date in each species and area (ICES 8C, 9A and NEAFC) to determine the available margin with the new allocations.
4. Adjust operational planning: Modify the schedule of fishing trips and catch targets for the rest of 2026 based on the remaining available quota after the adjustment.
5. Review updated management measures: The resolution also updates or clarifies the fishery management measures. Verify if there are new technical conditions that affect how to operate.
6. Document compliance: Maintain an updated record of catches and available quotas to be able to demonstrate compliance in case of inspection.