The Council has approved an agreement reached with the United Kingdom on fishing opportunities for over 80 total allowable catches (TACs) for stocks jointly managed by the EU and the UK under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). The agreement secures the fishing rights of EU fishers in the Atlantic and the North Sea for 2025 and its timely conclusion will ensure stability and certainty for EU fishers and the industry.
| “I welcome the agreement we reached with the United Kingdom, which gives certainty to the sector for the coming year and secures economically important fishing opportunities for our fishers. The agreement shows that both parties are committed to ensuring the sustainability of our shared stocks and protecting our oceans.” |
| — István Nagy, Hungarian Minister for Agriculture |
Main elements of the agreement
The EU and the UK based their agreement on the best scientific advice available, provided in particular by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). The deal reached by the two parties contributes to reaching the objectives of the EU’s common fisheries policy, namely ensuring that fisheries are ecologically, economically and socially sustainable. The deal is in line with the Trade and Cooperation Agreement concluded with the UK.
For stocks with no ICES advice, the EU and the UK agreed to continue working together to improve the availability of data to inform future scientific advice, while also noting progress made so far.
On stocks with zero catch advice, delegations agreed that it would be appropriate to establish specific TACs for by-catches (species that are caught unintentionally, while fishing for other specific species) to avoid choke situations that would lead to the closure of fisheries. These TACs have been set at levels aiming to prevent increases in the fishing mortality while allowing the stocks to be rebuilt.
Next steps
During the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting, taking place on 9 and 10 December, ministers will seek to reach a political agreement on the overall fishing opportunities in the Atlantic and the North Sea for fish stocks managed independently by the EU. The figures for the EU-UK shared stocks will be incorporated into that overarching political agreement.
Subsequently, the text will be finalised by the Council’s legal and linguistic experts. After this, the regulation will be formally adopted by the Council and published in the Official Journal. The provisions will apply from 1 January 2025.
In the case of three other jointly managed stocks, for which the scientific advice does not align with the calendar year, i.e. sandeel (North Sea), sprat (North Sea and the English Channel) and Norway pout, the EU and UK will hold consultations during the course of 2025.
Background
Following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, fish stocks jointly managed by the EU and the UK are considered shared resources under international law.
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) between the two parties sets out the terms under which the EU and the UK determine their respective fishing rights in the Atlantic and North Sea. The TCA agreement includes rules on licensing for fishing vessels and on mutual access to each other’s waters.
Under the TCA, both parties hold annual consultations to determine overall catch limits for the following year. The quotas of each party are then established in line with the TCA. Consultations are led by the Commission and take into account a number of factors, including:
- international obligations
- ensuring the long-term sustainability of marine resources, in line with the EU’s common fisheries policy
- the best available scientific advice
- the need to protect the livelihoods of fishers
The Council receives regular updates on the progress of the negotiations and its role is to provide guidance to the Commission on the EU’s position and approve the final agreement on the annual catch limits and quotas.
The EU and the UK cooperate in the Specialised Committee on Fisheries (SCF). The SCF monitors and assists with issues linked to the management of shared fisheries and helps ensure regular constructive discussions on fisheries matters between the EU and the UK.
- Bilateral EU-UK consultations on fisheries opportunities for 2025 (written record)
- Management of the EU’s fish stocks (background information)
- Fish stocks shared between the EU and the UK (background information)