Shortfin mako shark quotas 2026: what vessel owners and exporters must do

Key data

Vessel owners and seafood exporters working with shortfin mako shark have a defined timeframe and specific quotas for 2026. The Resolución de 27 de marzo de 2026, signed by the Dirección General de Biodiversidad, Bosques y Desertificación, establishes the framework governing how much of this species the Spanish fleet may catch and introduce during the current year.

The shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) is subject to the Reglamento (CE) 338/97 del Consejo, de 9 de diciembre de 1996, on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein. This makes every landing or sale transaction subject to CITES documentation, with direct consequences for the day-to-day operations of companies in the sector.

What does this regulation establish?

The resolution sets the annual quotas for 2026 that allow the Spanish fishing fleet to carry out two types of operations with shortfin mako shark caught in international waters:

• Introduction from international waters: landing catches at Spanish or EU ports from areas outside national jurisdiction.
• Import: entry into the territory of the European Union of catches of this species subject to wildlife trade controls.

The legal framework that activates these controls is Reglamento (CE) 338/97, which classifies the shortfin mako shark as a species whose trade must be supervised. This means that each operation requires specific traceability documentation and the corresponding CITES permits issued by the competent authority.

Economic and operational impact

The impact of this regulation is not merely documentary: it directly affects the operational and commercial planning of companies in the fishing and seafood processing sector.

The main operational effects are:

• Pre-landing management: vessel owners must process CITES permits before arriving at port, which means anticipating documentation during the fishing campaign in international waters.
• Mandatory traceability: each batch of shortfin mako shark must be documented from catch to sale or processing, with strict controls at every link in the chain.
• Risk of cargo detention: if permits are not in order at the time of landing, catches may be held by the competent authorities.
• Risk of licence loss: failure to comply with the established quotas may result in administrative penalties and the withdrawal of the licences required to operate, with a direct impact on business continuity.

For processing and exporting companies, the implication is equally direct: they cannot acquire or process catches that do not have CITES documentation in order, making them dependent on prior compliance by vessel owners and suppliers.

Who is affected?

This resolution affects all operators in the value chain for shortfin mako shark caught by the Spanish fleet in international waters:

• Vessel owners: responsible for obtaining CITES permits before landing and for respecting the quotas assigned for 2026.
• Fishermen: operating in international waters with the Spanish fleet and catching this species.
• Exporters: trading shortfin mako shark to third countries or within the European market, who must certify full traceability of catches.
• Seafood processing industry: companies that process, package or distribute products derived from shortfin mako shark and that require their suppliers to have met prior documentary requirements.

Practical example

A vessel owner with a Spanish fleet vessel operating in the North Atlantic and catching shortfin mako shark during the 2026 campaign must take the following steps before returning to port:

1. Verify that the shortfin mako shark catches fall within the quota assigned to their vessel for the 2026 year.
2. Apply for and obtain the corresponding CITES permits from the competent authority, certifying the origin of the catches in international waters.
3. Prepare the traceability documentation that will accompany the product from landing to the final buyer (exporter or processing company).

If the vessel owner lands without CITES permits in order, the catches may be detained by the control authorities. If the quota established for 2026 has also been exceeded, the company faces administrative penalties and the possible loss of the licences required to continue operating with this species.

A processing company that purchases shortfin mako shark from that vessel owner without verifying that the CITES documentation is in order also assumes risks in its own traceability chain and may be affected by subsequent inspections.

What should companies do now?

1. Verify the quota assigned for 2026: each vessel owner must check their specific quota for the 2026 year under the resolution, before starting or continuing shortfin mako shark fishing campaigns in international waters.
2. Process CITES permits in advance: permits must be obtained before landing or trading. Do not wait until arriving at port: begin the process during the fishing campaign.
3. Establish a traceability protocol: document each batch from catch to sale, ensuring that the chain of custody complies with the requirements of Reglamento (CE) 338/97.
4. Review supplier contracts (for processors and exporters): include clauses requiring certification of CITES permits and quota compliance as a condition for purchasing shortfin mako shark catches.
5. Consult the Dirección General de Biodiversidad, Bosques y Desertificación: for any questions about the assigned quota or the permit application procedure, contact the issuing body of the resolution directly.

Official source

View full regulation at the official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, please consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-7332