New technical requirements for Atlantic tuna fishing: what changes in 2026

Key data

Longline fleets operating in the Atlantic in search of bluefin tuna and related species have new technical and reporting obligations since the publication of the Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1761 on 17 August 2026. This regulation directly modifies the Regulation (EU) 2018/975, which is the European framework that implements the conservation measures of the ICCAT (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas).

The changes are not minor: they affect the deadlines for submitting the annual scientific report and notification of the total annual catch, the technical standards on longline weighting, and the data requirements that must be recorded on the vessel, the observer on board and the port. Any company operating in this fishery must review its internal procedures now.

What does this regulation establish?

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1761 introduces modifications in five specific areas of Regulation (EU) 2018/975. Below are all the changes:

The stated objective of these changes is to align European regulations with the latest scientific and operational recommendations of ICCAT, the international body that manages the conservation of Atlantic tuna and related species.

Economic and operational impact

This regulation does not establish specific fees or economic sanctions in the available data. However, its operational impact is direct and affects several areas of the fishing company:

• Data registration systems: Changes in Annexes V (vessel), X (observer) and XI-XII (port) mean that forms and digital data capture systems must be updated to include the new required fields.
• Notification procedures: The new deadlines for the annual scientific report and notification of total annual catch require a review of internal reporting schedules.
• Technical equipment: The review of longline weighting standards (Annex I) may require adjustments to the rigging or operational procedures on board.
• Training: Personnel responsible for data recording—including observers on board—must be aware of the new requirements in Annex X.

Companies that already had management systems compliant with Regulation (EU) 2018/975 will need to conduct a specific review of the five modified annexes to identify differences from previous requirements.

Who does it affect?

• Shipowners and fishing companies with longline vessels operating in the Atlantic and catching bluefin tuna or other related tuna species.
• Masters and crews responsible for recording technical data on board according to Annexes V and X.
• Scientific observers on board, whose reporting requirements are updated in Annex X.
• Port managers and officials of port facilities that receive landing declarations in accordance with Annexes XI and XII.
• Fishing authorities of EU Member States, responsible for submitting the annual scientific report and notification of total annual catch within the new deadlines.
• Legal and compliance advisors of fishing sector companies that manage regulatory compliance.

Practical example

A Spanish shipowner company with two longline vessels operating in the North Atlantic catching bluefin tuna must review its operations on three specific fronts:

1. On board: The vessel registration forms (Annex V) and observer forms (Annex X) must be updated. If the company uses a digital electronic logbook system, it must verify with its provider that the new fields are incorporated before the next trip.

2. In port: When landing, the catch declarations submitted at port must comply with the new requirements of Annexes XI and XII. The port operations manager must know which fields have changed to avoid generating registration issues.

3. Rigging: If the weighting standards in Annex I have changed, the master must review whether the current rigging complies with the new technical specifications before the next departure. Non-compliant weighting could constitute a violation during an inspection at sea or in port.

What should companies do now?

1. Download and read the five modified annexes (Annexes I, V, X, XI and XII of Regulation (EU) 2018/975 in the version updated by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1761) to identify exactly which fields and requirements have changed from the previous version.
2. Review data registration systems on board and in port to verify that they collect all fields required by the updated Annexes V, X, XI and XII. If electronic logbooks are used, contact the provider to request the update.
3. Verify longline rigging in accordance with the new technical weighting standards of Annex I before the next departure to sea.
4. Update the internal notification calendar to comply with the new deadlines for the annual scientific report and notification of total annual catch.
5. Inform and train relevant personnel: masters, crew responsible for records and observers on board must be aware of the new requirements in Annex X.
6. Coordinate with the national fishing authority to confirm how the new reporting deadlines will be implemented at the state level and what notification channels will be used.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in 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=CELEX:32026R1761