Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of 28 September 2026, from the General Secretariat of Fisheries, which modifies that of 27 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Publication | 30 September 2026 (BOE) |
| Entry into force | 30 September 2026 |
| Affected parties | Shipowners and fishing associations of red shrimp trawling in the Mediterranean |
| Category | Agriculture and Fisheries |
| Year | 2026 |
| Regulated stock | ARA/GF1-7 (red shrimp Mediterranean) |
| Additional distributable tonnes | 55 tonnes |
| Origin of increase | 28 t from exchange with France (agreement 2 July 2026) + 4% reserve of Spanish quota |
| Modified regulation | Resolution of 27 March 2026 (catch limits per vessel for 2026) |
| Appeal | Appeal to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food — deadline of 1 month |
The bottom trawling fleet fishing red shrimp in the Mediterranean has more catch margin to finish 2026. The General Secretariat of Fisheries has modified—effective 30 September 2026—the individual catch limits of the ARA/GF1-7 stock established in the Resolution of 27 March 2026, adding 55 distributable tonnes to the initial distribution.
The regulatory reference is the Resolution of 28 September 2026 (BOE-A-2026-20375), which develops the Order APA/280/2026, of 18 March. For the affected shipowners and fishing associations, the impact is immediate: the new limits are already in force and condition catches in the last quarter of the year.
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution modifies the catch limits per vessel of the red shrimp stock ARA/GF1-7 that had been set in March 2026. The specific changes are three:
- Incorporation of 28 tonnes from a quota exchange agreed with France on 2 July 2026.
- Release of the 4% reserve of the Spanish quota, which is added to the distributable volume.
- Deduction of 2025 overages: uncompensated consumption from the previous year is subtracted from the new individual allocations.
The net result is a total of 55 additional tonnes distributed among the vessels and groups of the affected fleet. The allocation is structured in two ways:
| Allocation method | Description |
|---|---|
| Individual use | Catch limit assigned directly to each vessel |
| Common use | Limit assigned to a group of vessels (fishing association or shipowner association) that manage it collectively |
Additionally, any quota surpluses remaining at the close of 2026 will be carried forward to future years, providing some inter-annual flexibility in fisheries management.
Economic and operational impact
For the trawling fleet, more quota directly equals more potential income. Mediterranean red shrimp is one of the highest-value fishery products at auction, with prices typically exceeding €20-30/kg in first sale depending on size and season.
The 55 additional tonnes represent a significant increase in potential income for the entire affected fleet, although the impact per vessel will depend on how each fishing association or group distributes it internally.
There are two operational effects that shipowners should monitor:
- Deduction for 2025 overages: vessels that exceeded their quota last year without compensating for it will see their new allocation reduced. This can partially or completely neutralize the benefit of the 55-tonne increase for some shipowners.
- Carryover of surpluses to future years: vessels that do not exhaust their quota in 2026 will be able to accumulate that margin for following years, which incentivizes prudent resource management.
Who does it affect?
The resolution directly affects the following groups:
- Shipowners of bottom trawling vessels operating on the ARA/GF1-7 stock (Mediterranean red shrimp).
- Fishing associations in Catalonia, Valencian Community, Murcia, Andalusia and the Balearic Islands that manage quotas in common use mode.
- Shipowner associations in the same autonomous communities with collective allocations.
- Managers and administrators of fishing fleets who must update available quota records for the last quarter of 2026.
Practical example
Imagine a fishing association in the Valencian Community that manages in common use mode the red shrimp quota of 10 vessels. Following the March 2026 resolution, it had assigned, for example, 40 tonnes for the group.
With the new resolution, that association receives a proportional share of the 55 additional distributable tonnes. However, if two of its vessels recorded uncompensated catch overages in 2025, that amount is deducted from its new allocation before adding the increase.
The practical result: the association must review the catch history of each vessel in 2025, calculate what deduction corresponds to it, and on that basis, plan the fishing trips for the fourth quarter of 2026 to maximize the available quota without incurring new overages that would penalize 2027.
Surpluses not caught before year-end are not lost: they will be carried forward to the following year, allowing the association to decide whether it is more profitable to force catches now or preserve margin for 2027.
What should companies do now?
- Review 2025 quota consumption: identify whether the vessel or group accumulated uncompensated overages that will be deducted from the new allocation. This data directly conditions the margin available for the rest of 2026.
- Request the new assigned limit from the association or group: the specific distribution among vessels is managed by each entity. Confirm in writing the updated quota to avoid catches outside the limit.
- Plan fourth quarter fishing trips: with the new limit confirmed, adjust the departure schedule to maximize quota utilization without exceeding it.
- Evaluate surplus strategy: if the available quota exceeds actual catch capacity before year-end, surpluses are carried forward to future years. Assess whether it is better to catch now or preserve margin for 2027.
- Consult the appeal if there are discrepancies: the resolution is appealable to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food within 1 month of publication (30 September 2026). If the allocation received seems incorrect, act within that deadline.
Frequently asked questions
How many additional tonnes of red shrimp have been allocated for 2026 and where do they come from?
55 distributable tonnes have been added to the initial 2026 distribution. Of these, 28 tonnes come from a quota exchange agreed with France on 2 July 2026, and the rest corresponds to the release of the 4% reserve of the Spanish quota that had not been distributed in the March resolution.
Which autonomous communities and fleets are affected by this resolution?
The resolution affects fishing associations and bottom trawling shipowner associations in Catalonia, Valencian Community, Murcia, Andalusia and the Balearic Islands operating on the Mediterranean red shrimp stock ARA/GF1-7.
What happens with uncompensated catch overages from 2025?
Quota consumption overages from 2025 that were not compensated at the time are deducted directly from the new 2026 allocations. This means that vessels or groups that exceeded their limit last year will see their available quota for the rest of 2026 reduced, potentially neutralizing part or all of the benefit of the 55-tonne increase.
What happens with quota not caught before the end of 2026?
Quota surpluses pending at the close of 2026 will be carried forward to future years, as established by the resolution. They are not lost, which allows shipowners and associations to plan with greater flexibility without the pressure to necessarily exhaust the limit before 31 December.
How and within what deadline can this resolution be appealed?
The resolution is appealable to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food within 1 month of publication, that is, until 30 October 2026. If a shipowner or association believes the allocation received is incorrect, they must file the appeal within that deadline.
Official source
View complete regulation at 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://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-20375
