Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of April 20, 2026, from the General Secretariat of Fisheries |
|---|---|
| BOE Publication | April 22, 2026 |
| Entry into force | Not specified — consult full text |
| Modified regulation | Resolution of February 17, 2026 on mackerel fishery in zones 8c and 9a |
| Affected species | Mackerel (Scomber scombrus) |
| Fishing zones | ICES 8c and 9a (Bay of Biscay and Atlantic) |
| Affected fleet | Vessels with home port in Lugo province using fishing methods other than trawling and purse seining |
| Category | Agriculture and Fisheries |
| Year | 2026 |
| BOE Reference | BOE-A-2026-8860 |
Vessel owners and skippers with home port in Lugo operating with fishing methods other than trawling and purse seining have a new obligation: to review the conditions under which they can fish mackerel (Scomber scombrus) in ICES zones 8c and 9a during 2026. The Resolution of April 20, 2026 from the General Secretariat of Fisheries, published in the BOE on April 22, 2026, modifies the previous resolution of February 17, 2026 that regulated this same fishery.
This is not an entirely new regulation: it is a modification of the rules already established at the beginning of the year. This means that the changes are specific and targeted, and that any vessel continuing to operate under the parameters of the February resolution may be in breach of current regulations without knowing it.
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution modifies the one of February 17, 2026, which regulated mackerel fishery (Scomber scombrus) in ICES zones 8c and 9a for vessels of the fleet using fishing methods other than trawling and purse seining with home port in Lugo province for the year 2026.
Based on available data, the changes introduced by the April 2026 resolution may affect one or more of the following elements:
- Catch quotas assigned to this fleet
- Closed seasons or temporal restrictions on activity
- Minimum catch sizes for the species
- Operational conditions applicable to affected vessels
This regulation is part of the annual management of fisheries resources within the European Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), which establishes limits and exploitation conditions to ensure the sustainability of mackerel populations in the northeastern Atlantic.
| Element | Resolution of February 17, 2026 | Resolution of April 20, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Regulated species | Mackerel (Scomber scombrus) | Mackerel (Scomber scombrus) |
| Application zones | ICES 8c and 9a | ICES 8c and 9a |
| Affected fleet | Vessels based in Lugo, fishing methods other than trawling and purse seining | Vessels based in Lugo, fishing methods other than trawling and purse seining |
| Specific conditions | Established in February 2026 | Modified in April 2026 — review full text |
The specific details of the changes (quota amounts, exact closure dates, or other operational parameters) are not available in the published summary. To know the exact details of the modifications, it is essential to consult the full text in the BOE.
Economic and operational impact
The direct impact of this modification depends on the type of change introduced. In regulated fisheries such as mackerel, regulatory adjustments can have significant economic consequences for affected vessel owners:
- If quotas are reduced: fewer permitted catches, lower sales volume, and lower income per campaign.
- If closure periods are extended or modified: forced days of inactivity, with the vessel's fixed costs continuing to run (crew, mooring, insurance).
- If minimum sizes change: possible mandatory discards of already-caught fish, with the operational cost that implies.
- If operational conditions change: possible adaptations of equipment, fishing gear, or catch reporting procedures.
In all cases, the risk of not reviewing the regulation is the same: continuing to operate under the conditions of the February resolution when they are no longer valid, which may result in fisheries violations with corresponding administrative penalties.
Who does it affect?
This resolution affects exclusively and directly:
- Vessel owners with fishing vessels whose home port is in Lugo province
- Skippers and crew members of those vessels operating in ICES zones 8c and 9a
- Fishing companies and fishing guilds in Lugo province with activity in mackerel fishery
- Managers and advisors of Galician fishing fleets operating with fishing methods other than trawling and purse seining (longline, hook and line, traps, or other minor fishing methods)
It does not affect vessels using trawling or purse seining, nor vessels based outside Lugo province, even if they operate in the same ICES zones.
Practical example
A vessel owner with a surface longline vessel based in Burela (Lugo) that has been fishing mackerel in ICES zone 8c since the beginning of the 2026 campaign under the conditions of the February resolution should act as follows:
- Access the full text of the Resolution of April 20, 2026 (reference BOE-A-2026-8860) to identify exactly what conditions have changed compared to the resolution of February 17, 2026.
- Compare the new conditions with your current campaign plan: available quota, planned departure dates, typical catch sizes.
- If there are changes in quota or closure periods, adjust the fishing schedule before the next departure to sea.
- Communicate the changes to the skipper and crew so they operate in accordance with the new provisions from the moment they enter into force.
Operating without reviewing the April resolution is equivalent to assuming the risk of a fisheries violation, regardless of whether the vessel has been complying with regulations for years.
What should vessel owners do now?
- Download and read the full text of the resolution (BOE-A-2026-8860, published on April 22, 2026) to identify the specific changes compared to the resolution of February 17, 2026.
- Identify what conditions have changed: quotas, closure periods, minimum sizes, or other operational conditions, and compare with those you were applying.
- Adapt your campaign plan before the next departure to sea, adjusting dates, volumes, and procedures if necessary.
- Inform the skipper and crew of the new requirements so that on-board activity complies with current regulations from their entry into force.
- Contact your local fishing guild or vessel owners association to confirm whether they have received additional communications from the General Secretariat of Fisheries regarding the application of this modification.
- Consult a fisheries legal advisor if you have doubts about how the changes affect your specific operation or if you need help adapting your procedures.