In a major win for the UK fishing industry, the government has announced it has secured fishing opportunities worth £840 million for 2026. The agreements, reached with the European Union, Norway, and other coastal states, cover more than 520,000 tonnes of fish across multiple species and waters, ensuring continued access to valuable stocks for British fishers.
“These agreements mark a significant step forward for UK fisheries,” said a government spokesperson. “They provide sustainable access to key stocks while safeguarding the future of our marine ecosystems.”
Under a bilateral agreement with the EU, the UK will access around 150,000 tonnes of quota, valued at approximately £430 million based on historic landing prices. The deal also ensures continued access to non-quota species, contributing an additional £25 million in value. A trilateral agreement with the EU and Norway secures around 290,000 tonnes of North Sea and adjacent waters’ stocks, valued at approximately £380 million. Other coastal-state agreements provide access to widely distributed North-East Atlantic stocks, such as blue whiting and Atlantic herring, valued at around £20 million. On the international front, agreements under the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas will see the UK’s annual bluefin tuna quota increase from 63 tonnes to 231 tonnes, adding roughly £5 million in value. Similarly, Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization arrangements provide quotas for cod and other species, estimated at another £5 million.
The government emphasized that sustainability was central to these negotiations. Many fish stocks, including cod, whiting, haddock, sole, and plaice, remain under pressure. The new agreements include technical and management measures to protect vulnerable populations, including larger mesh sizes, selective gear, seasonal and real-time closures in critical zones, and stricter monitoring and reporting requirements. “This approach ensures that while our fishers benefit economically, the marine environment is protected for future generations,” the spokesperson added.
The £840 million in fishing opportunities represents a major boost to the UK economy, supporting livelihoods in fishing communities across the country. The agreements provide diversified access to multiple species and waters, helping the industry remain resilient amid fluctuating market and environmental conditions. The government highlighted that these deals also reaffirm the UK’s position as an independent coastal state, capable of negotiating directly with international partners post-Brexit while balancing economic growth and environmental responsibility.
Experts caution that the total value assumes full uptake of quotas and stable market prices, which can fluctuate. Additionally, effective implementation of technical measures and compliance by fleets will be critical to achieving the intended sustainability outcomes. Nevertheless, the agreements mark one of the most significant achievements for the UK fishing industry in recent years, balancing economic, environmental, and political considerations.
In total, the UK secured over 520,000 tonnes of fish across various agreements: around 150,000 tonnes under the UK-EU deal, 290,000 tonnes via the trilateral UK-EU-Norway agreement, with additional quotas through coastal-state and international arrangements, collectively valued at £840 million.
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