Red tuna 2026: new management rules for fleets and aquaculturists

Key data

Red tuna fleets and aquaculturists working with red tuna in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean have new rules of the game from May 2026. The Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/497, published on 13 May 2026, modifies the Regulation (EU) 2023/2053 to update the management measures for this species, following the recommendations of ICCAT (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas).

Spain, with one of Europe's most relevant tuna fleets, is directly affected in the management of its national quotas. Companies that do not adapt their operations to the new parameters are exposed to administrative sanctions and loss of their licenses.

What does this regulation establish?

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/497 modifies the management framework for red tuna in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean established by Regulation (EU) 2023/2053. The areas of modification covered by the regulation include the following operational and control aspects:

All these changes align with the current recommendations of ICCAT, the international body that regulates the conservation of Atlantic tuna and sets the scientific criteria on which European fisheries policy is based in this matter.

The regulation being modified, Regulation (EU) 2023/2053, was the reference framework in force until now for the management of this species. The new delegated regulation does not replace it, but updates it in the indicated points to reflect the latest ICCAT recommendations.

Economic and operational impact

Regulatory changes in red tuna management have direct consequences on the profitability and operational planning of companies in the sector. The main impacts to consider are:

• Quota adjustment: If catch quotas are reduced, companies will have to plan shorter campaigns or with lower volumes, which directly affects seasonal revenues.
• Changes in closed seasons: Modifications to closed season calendars may require rescheduling operations, affect supply contracts and alter the planning of crew members.
• Minimum sizes: An increase in minimum sizes can reduce the marketable volume of catches, increasing the percentage of discards.
• Control and monitoring requirements: New traceability and reporting obligations imply investment in monitoring systems and possibly in staff training.
• Risk of license loss: Non-compliance with any of these parameters may result in administrative sanctions or withdrawal of the fishing license, which means the suspension of activity.

Who does it affect?

This regulation directly affects operators working with red tuna in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean:

• Fishing companies with vessels authorized to capture red tuna in the eastern Atlantic or Mediterranean waters.
• Shipowners holding red tuna fishing licenses, who must verify that their quotas and operating conditions remain valid under the new framework.
• Aquaculturists who fatten or breed red tuna in marine aquaculture facilities, as the regulation also governs this segment of the production chain.
• Spanish companies especially, given that Spain has a reference tuna fleet in Europe and manages significant national quotas in both geographic areas.
• Fleet managers and compliance officers in companies in the sector who must update their operational and reporting protocols.

Practical example

A Spanish fishing company with several vessels authorized to capture red tuna in the Mediterranean currently operates under the parameters of Regulation (EU) 2023/2053. With the entry into force of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/497, this company must:

1. Verify whether its assigned catch quota has been modified for the current season, by contacting the competent fishing authority in Spain.
2. Check whether the closed seasons applicable to its operating area have changed, to avoid captures outside authorized periods, which could result in administrative sanctions or loss of license.
3. Review the minimum sizes in force to ensure that captured specimens comply with the new parameters before marketing.
4. Update its control and monitoring systems if the regulation introduces new traceability or catch reporting requirements.

If this company does not perform these checks and operates with outdated parameters, it is exposed to administrative sanctions and possible withdrawal of its fishing license, which would mean the total suspension of its activity.

What should companies do now?

1. Read the full text of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/497 in EUR-Lex to identify exactly what parameters change with respect to Regulation (EU) 2023/2053 and to what extent they affect your specific operation.
2. Contact the national fishing authority (General Secretariat for Fisheries in Spain) to confirm how European changes are transferred to the national quotas assigned to your company or vessel.
3. Review current licenses and authorizations to verify that they remain valid under the new regulatory framework and whether they require updating or renewal.
4. Update internal operational protocols: campaign calendars, minimum size references, catch control and monitoring procedures.
5. Evaluate the investment needed in traceability systems if the new control and monitoring requirements involve technological or process improvements.
6. Consult a legal advisor specialized in fisheries regulations before starting the next campaign, especially if there are doubts about compliance with the new parameters.