Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of April 14, 2026, from the General Secretariat of Fisheries, establishing the annual distribution of the percentage of catches for scientific purposes within the framework of authorized scientific campaigns |
|---|---|
| Official Gazette Publication | April 16, 2026 |
| Entry into force | April 14, 2026 |
| Affected parties | Fishing vessels in scientific campaigns, fishing research organizations and administration |
| Category | Agriculture and Fisheries |
| Year | 2026 |
| Issuing body | General Secretariat of Fisheries |
Vessels participating in authorized scientific campaigns and fishing research organizations have had, since April 14, 2026, a clear regulatory reference regarding what volume of catches they can allocate to studies without reducing commercial quota to the sector. The Resolution from the General Secretariat of Fisheries published in the Official Gazette on April 16, 2026 establishes this percentage distribution for fiscal year 2026.
The regulation responds to the need to reconcile marine scientific research with sustainable exploitation limits set by the European Union. Without this delimitation, catches made in research campaigns could count as commercial quota, reducing the margin available for the ordinary fishing sector.
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution determines the percentage distribution of catches permitted for scientific purposes within authorized research campaigns for 2026. The essential points are:
- It sets what volume of catches can be allocated to scientific studies without counting as commercial quota.
- It applies exclusively to scientific campaigns that have official authorization from the General Secretariat of Fisheries.
- It guarantees that research activity does not interfere with sustainable exploitation limits set by the EU.
- It defines the margins of catch available for commercial versus scientific use, providing legal certainty to both sectors.
The regulation operates within the framework of the European fishing quota system, which establishes maximum catch limits by species and area to protect marine resources. By separating scientific catches from commercial ones, it prevents research from penalizing the productive sector.
Economic and operational impact
The impact of this resolution occurs on two distinct levels:
For research organizations and oceanographic vessels: The regulation provides them with the legal framework necessary to plan their 2026 campaigns with certainty about what catches they can make without compromising the commercial quotas of the sector. Without this annual resolution, scientific activity would remain in a regulatory vacuum that could generate conflicts with the commercial fishing sector.
For the commercial fishing sector: With the volume of catches allocated to research clearly defined, fishing companies know precisely the quota margin available for their ordinary activity in areas where scientific campaigns operate. This facilitates planning for the 2026 fishing season.
From an operational perspective, vessels participating in scientific campaigns must ensure that their catches strictly comply with the percentage established in this resolution. Any catch exceeding the authorized scientific limit could be considered commercial catch and count against the ordinary quota.
Who does it affect?
- Fishing vessels authorized for scientific campaigns: Must adjust their catches to the percentage set by the resolution so they do not count as commercial quota.
- Oceanographic vessels: Operate directly under the framework established by this regulation in their 2026 marine research campaigns.
- Fishing research organizations: Institutes and centers that plan and execute scientific campaigns authorized by the General Secretariat of Fisheries.
- Fishing administration: The General Secretariat of Fisheries and control organizations that supervise quota compliance.
- Commercial fishing companies: Indirectly, as the quota margin available in areas where scientific campaigns operate is defined.
Practical example
A fishing research organization that has an authorized scientific campaign in the North Atlantic during 2026 can capture certain species for biological analysis and sampling without those catches reducing quota to the commercial fishing sector operating in the same area, as long as it remains within the percentage established by this resolution.
If during that campaign the oceanographic vessel exceeds the authorized percentage for scientific catches, the excess could be treated as commercial catch, with the implications this has for Spain's quotas within the EU fishing management system. Therefore, precise control and recording of catches during scientific campaigns is a critical operational requirement for research organizations.
For fishing companies operating in the same areas where these campaigns are conducted, knowing the volume of catches allocated to research allows them to calculate with greater precision the commercial quota effectively available for their activity in 2026.
What should companies do now?
- Verify if they operate in areas with authorized scientific campaigns in 2026: Fishing companies must check if there are active scientific campaigns this year in their usual fishing grounds, as this defines the margin of available commercial quota.
- Consult the complete resolution in the Official Gazette: Research organizations and authorized vessels must review the specific percentages established for each campaign or species in the full text of the Resolution of April 14, 2026.
- Update catch recording systems: Vessels participating in scientific campaigns must ensure that their control systems correctly differentiate between scientific and commercial catches to avoid incorrect charges to the ordinary quota.
- Coordinate with the General Secretariat of Fisheries: Research organizations managing authorized campaigns must confirm that their authorizations are current and that the planned catch percentages comply with what is established in this resolution for 2026.
- Plan the 2026 fishing season with new margins: Commercial fishing companies must incorporate this information into their operational planning to optimize the use of available quota during the fiscal year.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of catches can be allocated for scientific purposes in 2026?
The Resolution of April 14, 2026 establishes the percentage distribution of catches permitted for scientific purposes within the framework of authorized campaigns for 2026. The specific percentage by species or campaign must be consulted in the full text of the regulation published in the Official Gazette, as the official summary does not detail the specific values by species.
Do scientific catches reduce commercial fishing quota?
No. According to this resolution, catches made in authorized scientific campaigns do not count as commercial quota, as long as they comply with the percentage established by the General Secretariat of Fisheries for 2026. This guarantees that research activity does not interfere with sustainable exploitation limits set by the EU.
When does the distribution of scientific catches for 2026 come into force?
The resolution came into force on April 14, 2026, the date of its signature, although it was published in the Official Gazette on April 16, 2026.
What organizations and vessels are affected by this resolution?
Fishing vessels participating in authorized scientific campaigns, fishing research organizations and the administration are affected. It does not affect commercial vessels operating exclusively under ordinary fishing quota without participation in scientific campaigns.