European Union and the United Kingdom - fisheries consultations: written record 2026

Jointly managed stocks (TCA Annex 35)

a) The Delegations considered the jointly managed stocks listed in Annex 35 to the TCA and agreed to establish TACs for 2026, as described in Annex 1 to this Written Record.

b) The TACs referred to in paragraph (a) above represent the agreed catch before any adjustments are applied.

c) The TACs referred to in paragraph (a) above will be allocated between the Parties as indicated in Table 1 in Annex 1.

d) Should the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) provide new scientific advice on TACs the Delegations agree to discuss its implications and consider whether any changes to these TACs are required.

e) The TACs referred to in paragraph (a) are established without prejudice to the future approach to TAC-setting in annual consultations, including the application of the TAC-setting principles set out in the Parties’ respective legislation.

f) Stocks with no ICES advice

In relation to those stocks which currently lack ICES advice [2] the Parties agreed to continue to work together through the Specialised Committee on Fisheries (SCF), and with ICES, to improve the availability of data and/or assessment methods to inform future scientific advice.

g) Celtic Sea saithe and Western and Bristol Channel herring: The Delegations noted the progress made with two stocks which previously lacked ICES advice: Celtic Sea Saithe (POK/7/3411) and Western and Bristol Channel Herring (HER/7EF) and acknowledged that ICES has now issued Category 5 advice for these stocks covering the years 2026 to 2028. This advice is precautionary in nature and, under current ICES methodology, results in a 20% reduction in the advice for each cycle.

h) Stocks with zero catch advice

i. There are certain stocks for which ICES has issued scientific advice for no catches. If the TACs for those stocks were set at the level indicated in the scientific advice the obligation to land all catches in mixed fisheries with by-catches from these stocks would lead to the phenomenon of ‘choke species’. In order to strike the right balance between socio-economic considerations and the need to achieve a good biological status for those stocks, taking into account mixed fishery considerations, the Parties agreed that it is appropriate to establish specific TACs for by-catches for those stocks.

ii. The level of these TACs has been set with the objective of supporting rebuilding of the stock. The Parties agreed for some stocks with zero TAC advice, to set a small TAC to allow for continued monitoring of the fishery.

i)  Alignment of management areas

The Delegations recognised that alignment between TAC management areas and the relevant biological stocks is required to ensure the sustainable management of stocks. The Delegations also noted the commitment in Article 504 of the TCA to consider adjustments to the management areas of the stocks concerned with a view to making any consequential changes to the list of stocks and shares set out in Annex 35 of the TCA. During 2023 the SCF recommended6 a realignment of the management areas for turbot & brill (T/B/2AC4-C), lemon sole & witch (L/W/2AC4-C), Celtic Sea whiting (WHG/7X7A-C) and English Channel plaice (PLE/7DE). In order to continue separate management of the relevant biological stocks, the ‘of which’ footnotes apply for T/B/2AC4-C, L/W/2AC4-C, WHG/7X7A-C, and PLE/7DE for 2026.

The apportionment shares for the TACs under T/B/2AC4-C and L/W/2AC4-C are included in Annex 2 of Recommendation No 2/2023 of the SCF. Agreed tonnages for these realigned TAC areas are included in Table 6 of Annex 1 of this written record.

The apportionment shares for the TACs under WHG/7X7A-C and PLE/7DE are at the same level as for the overall whiting and plaice TACs.  Agreed tonnages for these realigned TAC areas are included in footnotes in Table 1 of Annex 1 of this written record. 

i. English Channel Plaice: The Parties also agreed for 2026 to exchange quota, with the UK receiving 350t of quota for plaice from the EU in 7e and the EU receiving 200t from the UK in 7d.

j) Sole 7a: The Parties agreed for 2026 to the transfer of quota, with the EU receiving 31t from the UK in 7a.

k) Deep-sea stocks

The Delegations acknowledged the vulnerable nature of deep-sea stocks and the ecosystems of which they form a part. The Parties therefore committed to continuing to work jointly through the SCF to improve the management of relevant fisheries to ensure the long-term conservation of deep-sea stocks and where necessary their recovery.

i. Black scabbardfish: The Parties agreed to continue to apply the methodology agreed in 2024, and in addition that at up to 50% of the Northern TAC (BSF/56712-) may be fished in the Southern TAC (BSF/8910-) in 2026. The Parties agreed to review the impact on fishing patterns in the SCF in 2027 following the publication of ICES Deep Sea advice.

ii. Western red seabream: The Delegations noted that ICES continues to provide zero catch advice, with no information on abundance or exploitation (Category 5 stock) for Western red seabream (SBR/678-). In such situations, ICES recommends that a precautionary reduction of catches should be implemented.

In 2023, the EU introduced new technical measures, with the aim to support the long-term recovery of this stock. These measures have been rolled over to 2026.

The EU provided updates as regards the technical report from a scientific survey for Western red seabream. The Delegations note the continuation of this survey and its importance as the only scientific survey specifically designed for this stock. Therefore, the Parties agreed to roll over the TAC for 2026 to support the continuation of the survey. The Parties agreed to work together under the SCF to develop a roadmap to support a benchmark assessment of red seabream as soon as possible.

l) Tusk: The Delegations again noted the difference in methodologies in setting the Western and North Sea tusk TACs. The UK noted the importance of considering all catches in the methodology. The Parties agreed to prioritise actions in the SCF that would support a joint approach to future TAC setting and to consider appropriate means to reconcile the differences between the advice, stock and management areas.

m) Blue ling: The Delegations acknowledged the change in the 2025 ICES stock advice area for blue ling in the North East Atlantic, where ICES considered blue ling in division 12b to be part of the Celtic Seas, Faroes grounds and Western Hatton Bank, correspondingly the TAC BLI/12INT- forms part of this stock, in line with the ICES advice for this stock. The Parties agreed on a TAC of 38t for BLI/12INT- and on a TAC of 11,132t for BLI/5B67- for 2026 following the provisional split between the TACs detailed below:

• BLI/12INT-  0.339%
• BLI/5B67-  99.661%

As the BLI/12INT-was previously part of the North Sea stock, the Parties agreed to periodically review the split between the two TACs in the framework of the SCF to ensure that fishing patterns and catches are consistent with the split agreed for 2026.

In the Written Records for 2023, 2024 and 2025 the Parties agreed that the SCF should consider whether there are sufficient grounds to request ICES to re-examine the distribution of blue ling stocks in the North East Atlantic. During 2023 the UK identified that there was insufficient evidence available to present to ICES. Consequently, the UK Fisheries Administrations have commissioned a project to collect evidence to identify the biological source of blue ling taken in division 4a (part of BLI/24-). The EU and the UK will consider the report under the SCF once available, with a view to hold initial scoping discussions in 2026 to consider the data quality and whether a joint request to ICES is warranted to advise whether catches in division 4a are genetically part of blue ling in the Celtic Sea, English Channel and Faroese Grounds (BLI/5B67-) and also to provide the potential (level and location) for blue ling caught within ICES Area 4.

n) Cod (West of Scotland): The Delegations noted that since 2023, ICES advice covers a single Northern Shelf cod stock, merging the West of Scotland cod (COD/5BE6A) with North Sea cod units. They noted that West of Scotland cod was previously agreed bilaterally between the UK and EU, but agreed that the TAC should be decided as part of the UK-EU-Norway trilateral consultations. Trilateral consultations concluded on 5 December 2025 and agreed a TAC for West of Scotland cod of 625t.

o) Skates and rays: The Delegations applied the joint methodology, established under the 2023 SCF framework, for interpreting ICES advice to set the 2026 TACs for skates and rays group TACs (SRX/07D, SRX/2AC4-C, SRX/67AKXD, and the consultative TAC SRX/89-C). The Parties agreed to use the 2025 ICES working group report for the most recent landings for RAJ. For RJO in the SRX/67AKXD, the Parties agreed to jointly request to ICES to provide species level skate catches in the working group report to allow for use in calculations in future years.

The Parties agreed that ‘of which’ clauses will apply for 2026 for each of sandy ray (RJI/67AKXD), shagreen ray (RJF/67AKXD), small-eyed ray 7e (RJE/07E) from the Western skates and rays group TAC and for small-eyed ray 7d (RJE/07D) from the Eastern skates and rays group TAC. The small-eyed ray 7e sentinel fishery will be precautionarily reopened and managed in line with ICES advice via an ‘of which’ clause. The Parties will continue efforts to support data improvements on small-eyed ray 7de. The Parties noted that ICES advice is for small-eyed ray 7de. The Parties agreed to a 50:50 split in the ICES advice between 7.d and 7.e. The Parties agreed to maintain a review, via the SCF, of the functioning of the relevant ‘of which’ clauses.

The Delegations note with increased concern that the current group TAC approach provides limited protection for the more vulnerable skate and ray stocks. The Delegations welcomed the expert group report on group TAC management and its recommendations. Accordingly, the Parties agree on the urgent need to develop and implement actions to improve the management of all skate and ray stocks currently covered by both group TACs.

In this context, the Delegations emphasize the importance of prioritizing data-poor stocks, with a view to improving data collection and scientific assessment, thereby supporting more effective management and stronger protection for the most vulnerable species.

The Parties agree to hold technical discussions under the SCF during 2026, with the aim to collaboratively and jointly develop proposals to address the long-term strategy for skate and ray management. As part of this work the Parties will continue to explore the separate management of cuckoo ray (Leucoraja naevus) in the North Sea (SRX/2AC4-C). The process will also take forward work on the future of the skate and ray group TAC management and any viable alternative strategies, with the aim of increasing the effective protection for the more vulnerable skate and ray stocks. These proposals will assess each biological stock individually and consider whether the best long-term management strategy for that stock lies within the group TAC or as an ‘of which’. These recommendations will also include a suggested timeline for the implementation of the agreed strategy and any ‘of which’ stocks. In doing so, the proposals will support adherence to Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) principles and aim to manage stocks assessed under MSY in accordance with these objectives.

The Parties further agreed to work under the SCF, in collaboration with ICES, to evaluate and identify options for aligning the Minimum Conservation Reference Size (MCRS) for skates and rays. This work will aim to ensure consistency across stocks, support sustainable management objectives, and take into account the biological characteristics of each species. In addition, the Parties agreed to review, under the SCF, the footnotes applicable to skates and rays, and to examine in particular the footnote concerning bycatch allocation for the SRX/2AC4-C TAC during the first half of the year, with a view to its removal or amendment should it no longer be considered appropriate.

p) Horse mackerel:  The Delegations noted that the ICES advice for southern North Sea and eastern Channel horse mackerel (JAX/4BC7D) for 2026 is for zero catch and the Parties agreed on a by-catch TAC of 970t. In 2025, the Parties submitted a joint request to ICES for its advice regarding a monitoring programme to maintain the current ICES category 1 assessment of the stock. The Delegations acknowledged ICES’ response to this request, received in Spring 2025 as well as the advice for 2026, where ICES informs that low mortality monitoring (e.g. an acoustic survey) should be considered, given the poor status of the stock. The Parties agreed to make a joint request to ICES, in the first quarter of 2026, to assess the adequacy of existing acoustic surveys and provide advice with a view to ensure the effective monitoring of the status of the stock, including on any additional surveys. On the basis of the response to this request, the Parties agree to carry out additional acoustic surveys on a continuous basis from 2026 onwards, as required for the stock assessment. Moreover, the Delegations acknowledge the work plan set by ICES as regards genetic sampling undertaken since the ICES benchmark and that this information will help further support management decisions to rebuild the southern North Sea and eastern Channel biomass.  The Delegations also acknowledge the risk identified by ICES in its advice from the mixing of this horse mackerel stock in Area 7e with the Western waters horse mackerel stock. The Parties agree to continue working together through the SCF and with ICES to support the assessment of potential mixing between this stock and the Western waters stock and to which level, and to consider in 2026 what measures might be applied to protect the southern North Sea and eastern Channel biomass in 7e ahead of consultations for 2027, subject to further scientific evidence.

q) Northern prawn: The Delegations noted that the ICES advice for Northern Prawn for 2026 is for no directed fisheries, and that the current ICES advice for Norway Pout, where Northern Prawn is taken as a by-catch, is for a zero catch. Therefore, the Delegations agreed not to establish a by-catch TAC for Northern Prawn. The Delegations note that ICES will issue advice for Norway Pout in October 2026 for the period from 1 November 2026 to 31 October 2027. Therefore, the Parties agreed to jointly review the appropriate level of a by-catch TAC for Northern prawn for the months of November and December 2026 to take into account the new advice for Norway pout in 2026.

r) North Sea lemon sole: The Delegations noted that this stock was included in a TAC alignment in 2023 under Article 504 of the TCA. The Delegations further noted that it is currently classified as an ICES category 3 stock and acknowledged the negative change in advice resulting from a declining biomass index. The Delegations recalled the commitment made in paragraph 1(u) of the Written Record for 2025 to encourage technical cooperation including between scientific institutes, within the framework of the SCF, to explore and evaluate survey information, explore alternative methods to incorporate catch data into the assessment, and evaluate different assessment models and biological input parameters. The Delegations welcomed the work that has been carried out under the SCF in 2025, including an expert meeting held in June 2025. The Parties agreed to continue working together under the SCF to develop a roadmap to support a benchmark assessment for lemon sole in the North Sea as soon as possible.

s) Pollack: The Delegations noted that ICES has issued a non-zero advice for pollack in areas 6 and 7 for 2026 and acknowledged that the catch advice includes both commercial and recreational removals. The Parties note that there is a high probability of the stock falling below BLIM in 2027. The Parties agreed to set a TAC of 2,317t for commercial catches for 2026.

The Delegations note that according to the ICES advice, recreational catches comprise a significant share of total catches. The Delegations recognised the need to introduce proportionate, effective, and non-discriminatory limits for recreational fishing to reduce fishing mortality and support stock recovery. The Parties discussed and agreed that the following measure should be introduced during 2026, subject to each Party’s respective legislative processes, for recreational catches of pollack in ICES areas 6 and 7: 

i. a maximum of three specimen of pollack to be caught and retained per fisher per day

This measure will apply from the earliest practicable date in 2026 and, in principle no later than 1 June 2026, subject to the Parties having notified each other of the completion of their respective internal procedures required for their adoption. The Parties will consult without delay to clarify the indicative timing for the completion of such procedures and the consequent date of application.

The Parties further agreed that appropriate and effective measures should be taken for the monitoring, control and collection of data for recreational fisheries for pollack with the aim to improve the estimation of the actual recreational catch levels, in accordance with their respective legislative frameworks.

The Delegations further agreed to continue considering work under the SCF to support the recovery of pollack.

t) Ling: The Delegations noted that the TACs which are agreed between the EU and UK for ling 3a (LIN/03A-C.), North Sea ling (LIN/04-C.) and Western ling (LIN/6X14.) are part of the same biological stock as defined by ICES. The Parties agreed to TACs of 101t for ling 3a, 1,586t for North Sea ling, and 7,635t for Western ling. The UK has agreed, for 2025, to transfer its share of the TAC for ling 3a (7t) to the EU which will increase the EU quota to 101t. The Parties further agreed that up to 35% of North Sea ling (LIN/04-C.) may be fished in European Union waters of 3a (LIN/*03A-C), with a ceiling of 75t. The Delegations also noted that the Northern shelf ling stock is an ICES category 3 stock and therefore, the Parties agreed to discuss in the SCF during 2026 developing a roadmap to improve the scientific evidence base for the Northern shelf ling noting the availability of new evidence and to support a benchmark assessment as soon as practicable.

u) Irish Sea haddock: The Delegations noted that, due to an error identified in the assessment, the advice for Irish Sea haddock (HAD/07A) was downgraded from Category 1 to Category 5. The Category 5 advice released in November 2025 applies a precautionary approach to the average catches 2022 to 2024, resulting in a change of the advised catches for 2026 from 1,331 to 586 tonnes. The Parties agreed to jointly request to ICES to improve the advice categorization as soon as possible and include this point on the agenda of the SCF to review the situation next year, including any possible reissuance of advice.

v) Sole 7hjk and sole 7e: The Delegations acknowledged the ongoing work to collect and strengthen the scientific data underpinning the ICES Working Group’s assessment of sole in ICES subareas 7hjk. The Parties agreed to submit a joint request to ICES for an outline of the processes and likely timelines for reviewing the new scientific findings on the genetic analysis presented to the Parties in 2025 for sole in 7e and 7h. The Parties agreed to implement a 3% flexibility for sole from subarea 7e to subarea 7h in 2026.

w) Rockall cod: The Delegations noted that Rockall cod (COD/5W6-14) is an ICES category 6 stock and that there are mixed fishery interactions that need careful consideration. The Delegations committed to continue further discussions during 2026 to improve the scientific evidence base for the stock with the view to developing a roadmap to improve the scientific evidence base for the Rockall cod stock.