Marine

Agreement on 2025 fish opportunities reached between UK and EU

December 10, 2024 by Marine Directorate Communications No Comments | Category fish stocks, Fisheries, fisheries agreement, fisheries negotiations

The UK-EU bilateral negotiations to set Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for over 80 jointly managed stocks, including those in the North Sea and West of Scotland, have now concluded with an agreement.

The value of the UK-EU bilateral agreement to Scotland is estimated to be more than £219 million, representing an increase of £25 million compared to 2024.

The number of TACs for key stocks within Scottish sea basins, which were set at or below Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) and/or headline advice, has remained the same as in 2024.

TACs have been set at sustainable levels, taking into account scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), socioeconomic factors and, where appropriate, TAC constraints to mitigate large increases and decreases in the scientific advice, which could negatively impact the industry and markets.

Among the stocks covered by this agreement are North Sea and West of Scotland nephrops, monkfish and hake as well as Rockall haddock and cod, and West of Scotland whiting, cod, and haddock, which are of key importance to the Scottish industry.

The parties concluded these negotiations in a positive spirit, and a number of commitments were made ahead of 2025, which they will continue to progress through the UK-EU Specialised Committee on Fisheries.

The UK-EU bilateral written record can be viewed here. Allocations of quotas to individual producer organisations and vessels will be made in the new year.

Tags: fisheries, fisheries negotiations, fishing, Marine, North Sea, West of Scotland

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