Mackerel fishing 2026: what changes for Pontevedra boats in zones 8c and 9a

Key data

Vessels with home port in Pontevedra that fish mackerel in ICES zones 8c and 9a with fishing methods other than trawling and purse seining have new operational conditions as of April 10, 2026. The General Secretariat of Fisheries has published a modification to the resolution of March 16, 2026 that alters the management provisions for this fishery for the current campaign.

The regulation is effective exclusively for 2026 and its application is immediate, meaning that any fishing activity carried out from that date must comply with the new provisions. Shipowners and skippers who do not adapt their operations are exposed to penalties under Spanish fishing legislation.

What does this regulation establish?

The resolution of April 10, 2026 modifies—without replacing—the base resolution of March 16, 2026, which established additional management provisions for mackerel fishery in ICES zones 8c and 9a. The scope of application is specific: it only affects vessels of the fleet using fishing methods other than trawling and purse seining with home port in the province of Pontevedra.

The aspects that this resolution may modify, according to the standard framework for this type of regulation, include:

• Catch quotas assigned to the affected fleet
• Fishing closure periods or temporal activity restrictions
• Minimum catch sizes for the species
• Other operational conditions applicable to the 2026 campaign

The original resolution of March 2026 remains in force as the base regulation. This April modification introduces adjustments to that regulation, so both must be read together to understand the complete applicable regime.

Economic and operational impact

Mackerel fishery in ICES zones 8c and 9a is a relevant activity for the artisanal and small-scale fishing fleet of Pontevedra. Any adjustment in quotas, permitted activity periods, or minimum sizes has a direct effect on shipowners' income and fishing trip planning.

The main operational impacts to consider are:

• Catch quotas: if reduced, vessels must adjust catch volumes and anticipate quota depletion earlier than expected. If increased, they can plan more fishing days.
• Fishing closure periods: any modification in permitted activity dates directly affects fishing trip planning and sales contracts with fish markets and buyers.
• Minimum sizes: a change in minimum sizes requires reviewing catch selection criteria on board and may increase discards if the size increases.
• Regulatory compliance: operating outside the new conditions may result in administrative penalties with economic consequences for the shipowner.

Given that the regulation is effective exclusively for the 2026 campaign and entered into force on April 10, the adaptation timeframe is immediate. There is no explicit transition period.

Who does it affect?

This resolution directly and exclusively affects:

• Shipowners of fishing vessels with home port in the province of Pontevedra
• Skippers and crew members of those vessels that fish mackerel in ICES zones 8c and 9a
• Fleet using fishing methods other than trawling and purse seining (small-scale fishing, surface longline, other authorized fishing methods in this fishery)
• Fishing cooperatives and producer organizations in the province of Pontevedra with activity in this fishery
• Fish market managers and buyers who work with this fleet and species, due to the impact on volumes and supply schedules

Vessels using trawling or purse seining and vessels from other provinces are not affected by this specific modification.

Practical example

A shipowner from Marín (Pontevedra) who operates with surface longline fishing method and has been assigned a mackerel quota for the 2026 campaign in ICES zone 8c should proceed as follows:

1. Consults the resolution of April 10, 2026 and compares it with the one of March 16, 2026 to identify exactly what conditions have changed in their case.
2. If the quota has changed, adjusts the planned fishing trip schedule for the rest of the campaign to not exceed the new limit or fall short of what can be utilized.
3. If permitted activity periods have changed, communicates the changes to their usual fish market buyer to renegotiate delivery schedules.
4. If minimum sizes have changed, reviews selection criteria on board with the skipper to avoid non-compliant catches.

This process must be completed before the next fishing trip, given that the regulation is already in force as of April 10, 2026.

What should shipowners do now?

1. Download and read both resolutions: the one of March 16, 2026 (base regulation) and the one of April 10, 2026 (modification). Only by reading both can the complete regime applicable to the 2026 campaign be known.
2. Identify specific changes: compare article by article to detect what conditions have changed: quotas, closures, sizes, or other operational provisions.
3. Adapt the fishing trip and catch plan: adjust the planning of fishing activity for the rest of the 2026 campaign according to the new conditions.
4. Inform the skipper and crew: ensure that those operating the vessel know the new limits and conditions before the next departure.
5. Communicate changes to buyers and fish markets: if activity periods or available volumes have changed, inform usual buyers to adjust contracts and delivery schedules.
6. Keep documentation on board: maintain a copy of the applicable resolutions on board the vessel to demonstrate compliance in case of inspections.