Red tuna quotas 2026: 233.92 t distributed among Cantabrian, Mediterranean and Cádiz fleets

Key data

Fishing fleets from the Cantabrian region, the Mediterranean, the Gulf of Cádiz and ports of the Strait of Gibraltar have had a clear operational framework for red tuna bycatch since 12 August 2026. The Resolution of 6 August 2026 from the General Secretariat of Fisheries sets the rules of the game: how much can be caught, who can do it, and what procedures must be followed before, during and at the end of the campaign.

The most relevant fact for vessel owners is that non-compliance with procedures — especially the 7-day advance notice or lack of official tags — can compromise access to the quota and, in case of overage, directly reduce the 2027 allocation.

What does this regulation establish?

The resolution regulates exclusively bycatch of red tuna, that is, those catches that occur accidentally during the regular fishing activity of vessels that are not specifically targeting this species. It does not affect directed fishing quotas.

The 233.92 tonnes are distributed among four groups of fleets as follows:

The key operational rules are:

• Limit per operation: one red tuna specimen per vessel and fishing trip.
• Advance notice: the vessel owner must notify their intention to operate with a minimum of 7 days in advance.
• Official tags: must be received before starting any activity. Without them, the catch is not covered by the quota.
• Preventive closure: when any fleet reaches 90% of its quota, a preventive closure is automatically activated for that fleet.
• Overage penalty: if the assigned quota is exceeded, the excess is deducted from the same fleet's quota in 2027.
• Exclusions: vessels dedicated to bivalve molluscs and cephalopods are excluded from this regulation.

Economic and operational impact

For affected vessel owners, the most immediate impact is operational and planning-related. The obligation to notify activity 7 days in advance means it is not possible to spontaneously take advantage of a bycatch without having previously initiated the administrative process.

The mechanism of closure at 90% of the quota introduces a real risk of being excluded from activity before the campaign ends on 31 December, especially for fleets with smaller assigned quotas such as the Gulf of Cádiz (47.25 t). Once preventive closure is activated, vessels from that fleet will not be able to declare further bycatch even if the campaign remains open.

The most serious financial risk is the deduction from the 2027 quota: any tonne caught above the limit assigned in 2026 is directly subtracted from the following year's allocation, which can compromise the economic planning of the next season.

Who does it affect?

• Vessel owners and fishing companies with vessels registered in the fishing mode registries of the Northwest Cantabrian region.
• Spanish Mediterranean fishing fleets.
• Vessels operating in the Gulf of Cádiz zone.
• Vessels with home port in Algeciras, Barbate, Conil, La Línea de la Concepción or Tarifa.
• Fishing cooperatives and fishing producer organizations in the mentioned zones.
• First sale companies and fish markets that manage red tuna catches in these zones.

Not affected are vessels dedicated exclusively to bivalve molluscs and cephalopods, which are expressly excluded from this resolution.

Practical example

A vessel owner with a trawler with home port in Barbate wants to declare a red tuna bycatch during their regular activity in October 2026.

Their fleet (Strait ports) has been assigned 64 tonnes for the entire campaign. Preventive closure will be activated when that fleet accumulates 57.6 tonnes caught (90% of 64 t).

To be able to declare the catch, the vessel owner must:

1. Have notified their intention to operate at least 7 days before going out to fish.
2. Have the official tags in their possession before departure.
3. Respect the limit of one specimen per fishing trip.

If their fleet has already consumed 58 tonnes when they go out to fish, preventive closure would already be active and they could not declare the catch even if they have tags. If they still catch and declare above the fleet limit, that excess would be deducted from the Barbate and Strait quota in 2027.

What should companies do now?

1. Verify if your fleet is included: check if your vessels are registered in any of the fishing modes of the Northwest Cantabrian, Mediterranean, Gulf of Cádiz or if they have home port in Algeciras, Barbate, Conil, La Línea de la Concepción or Tarifa. If you operate with bivalve molluscs or cephalopods, you are excluded.
2. Process the advance notice 7 days in advance: before any fishing trip in which you may register a bycatch, ensure you have notified the activity to the General Secretariat of Fisheries with at least 7 days' notice.
3. Request and have official tags on board: without official tags received in advance, the catch cannot be covered by the quota. Manage this process with sufficient advance notice.
4. Monitor your fleet's quota consumption: closely follow the percentage of quota consumed by your fleet group. Upon reaching 90%, preventive closure is automatic. Do not wait for official notification to adjust your planning.
5. Plan for the risk of deduction in 2027: if your fleet is approaching the limit, evaluate the economic impact of a possible quota reduction in the following year before continuing activity.

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-2026-17563