Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of 17 June 2026, from the General Secretariat of Fisheries, distributing the quantities deducted and obtained in a quota exchange of shared and non-shared stocks with Belgium |
|---|---|
| BOE Publication | 26 June 2026 |
| Entry into force | 26 June 2026 |
| Affected parties | 17 fishing vessels from the Spanish deep-sea fleet in the Northeast Atlantic |
| Category | Agriculture and Fisheries |
| Regulatory framework | Order APM/920/2017 (deep-sea fleet) |
| Resource | Appeal to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food — deadline: 1 month |
Seventeen vessels from the Spanish deep-sea fleet gain access to 140 additional tonnes of monkfish in the Northeast Atlantic thanks to a quota exchange formalized with Belgium on 17 June 2026. The Resolution from the General Secretariat of Fisheries (BOE-A-2026-13932) distributes these tonnes nominally among participating shipowners, with allocations ranging from 2,201 kg to 13,895 kg per vessel.
The operation is implemented as a voluntary "swap": vessels regulated by the Order APM/920/2017 ceded quotas of species in which Spain had surplus and receive in return monkfish quota, a species of higher commercial value in the Northeast Atlantic fishing grounds.
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution formalizes and distributes the result of a bilateral fishing quota exchange between Spain and Belgium. Quota "swaps" are common mechanisms in European fisheries management: a Member State cedes quota of a species it will not exhaust and receives in return quota of another species of greater interest to its fleet.
In this case, the species ceded by Spain and corresponding volumes are:
| Species | Stock code | Tonnes ceded |
|---|---|---|
| Whiting | WHG/08 | 0.5 t |
| Norway lobster | NEP/07 | 15 t |
| Norway lobster | NEP/8ABDE | 1 t |
| Pollack | LEZ/07 | 125 t |
| Plaice | PLE/8/3411 | 0.5 t |
| Total ceded | — | 142 t |
In return, Spain receives 140 tonnes of monkfish (ANF/07), which are distributed nominally among the 17 participating vessels. Individual allocations range from 2,201 kg for the vessel with the smallest quota to 13,895 kg for the one receiving the most.
The ceded stocks were previously distributed among the deep-sea fleet vessels. Participation in the swap was voluntary: only shipowners who agreed to cede part of their individual quota participate in the distribution of the monkfish obtained.
Economic and operational impact
Monkfish (Lophius spp.) is one of the highest-value species at the fish market in the Northeast Atlantic, with prices that typically far exceed those of pollack or Norway lobster in Spanish wholesale markets. The exchange allows the 17 beneficiary vessels to increase their legal catches of a high-value species without needing to purchase quota on the secondary market.
From an operational standpoint, the allocation is nominal and immediate: each vessel knows exactly the additional kilograms of monkfish it can catch from 26 June 2026. There are no additional application procedures; the resolution already incorporates the final distribution.
The cession of 125 t of pollack (LEZ/07) represents the bulk of what was delivered to Belgium. The quantities of whiting (0.5 t) and plaice (0.5 t) are marginal, indicating that the exchange was favorable in terms of commercial value for the Spanish fleet.
Who does it affect?
- 17 Spanish deep-sea fishing vessels operating in the Northeast Atlantic that voluntarily participated in the swap.
- Shipowners and fishing companies holding the vessels included in the nominal distribution of the resolution.
- Quota managers and skippers of the affected vessels, who must update their available quota records.
- Fish market operators and monkfish buyers working with these vessels, as the available supply of that species may increase.
The resolution does not affect artisanal fleet vessels, aquaculture operators or companies outside deep-sea fishing in the Northeast Atlantic.
Practical example
Imagine a shipowner whose vessel receives an allocation close to the average distribution. With 140 t distributed among 17 vessels, the average allocation is approximately 8,235 kg per vessel. The actual range goes from 2,201 kg to 13,895 kg, so vessels with larger quota allocations approach the upper end.
A vessel that receives, for example, 10,000 kg additional monkfish can plan specific fishing trips targeting that species during the second half of 2026, optimizing the use of its fishing days and improving the margin per trip. Without this swap, that shipowner would have had to buy additional quota on the secondary market or forgo those catches.
At the other extreme, the vessel with the minimum allocation (2,201 kg) also obtains a useful complement to complete a fishing trip or adjust its annual catch plan without incurring additional quota costs.
What should companies do now?
- Verify if the vessel appears in the nominal distribution of the resolution. Only the 17 included vessels have the right to the additional monkfish quota.
- Update the internal record of available quota with the kilograms of monkfish (ANF/07) allocated, to avoid overfishing or underutilization.
- Communicate the new allocation to the skipper and chief engineer so they incorporate it into the fishing trip planning for the second half of 2026.
- Review on-board documentation (electronic fishing log, authorizations) to correctly reflect the additional quota in case of any inspection.
- Consider filing an appeal if you believe the allocation received is incorrect. The deadline is one month from publication (until 26 July 2026), before the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
Frequently asked questions
How many tonnes of monkfish does each vessel receive in the exchange with Belgium?
The 140 tonnes of monkfish (ANF/07) are distributed nominally among 17 vessels. Individual allocations range from 2,201 kg to 13,895 kg per vessel. The exact allocation for each vessel is listed in the resolution published in the BOE on 26 June 2026 (BOE-A-2026-13932).
What species did Spain cede to Belgium in this quota swap?
Spain ceded five lots: 0.5 t of whiting (WHG/08), 15 t of Norway lobster (NEP/07), 1 t of Norway lobster (NEP/8ABDE), 125 t of pollack (LEZ/07) and 0.5 t of plaice (PLE/8/3411). The bulk of the exchange comes from pollack, which represents almost 88% of the volume ceded.
Was participation in the swap mandatory for deep-sea vessels?
No. Participation was voluntary. Only deep-sea fleet vessels regulated by Order APM/920/2017 that agreed to cede part of their individual quota participate in the distribution of the 140 t of monkfish obtained.
When does this quota distribution come into force and until when can it be appealed?
The resolution came into force on the same day of its publication in the BOE: 26 June 2026. The deadline for filing an appeal before the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is one month, that is, until 26 July 2026.
What regulation governs the deep-sea fleet affected by this exchange?
The participating vessels are regulated by Order APM/920/2017, which establishes the management framework for the Spanish deep-sea fleet. It is within this framework that individual quotas ceded in the swap are managed and those obtained in return are distributed.
Official source
Consult complete regulation at official source (BOE-A-2026-13932)
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-2026-13932