The EAPO urges the EU to consider climate change, socio-economic factors, and multi-annual management for Southern Western Waters fishing quotas in 2026
The European Association of Fish Producers Organisations (EAPO) has expressed deep concern over the continuous deterioration of numerous resources in the Southern Western Waters, attributing the downward trend to the impact of climate change.
This decline has caused a drastic reduction in fishing opportunities over several years, leading to fears of severe economic and social hardship for fishing communities.
EAPO argues that while fishers have complied with the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) requirements, fishing at or below the Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY), the MSY approach alone is not guaranteeing stability or visibility for the sector.
Environmental shifts, such as warming seas, are clearly impeding populations from completing their life cycle, as evidenced by a mortality problem observed in the sole 8ab pelagic larvae phase.
The association is calling for an exhaustive analysis of both climate change and non-fishing related anthropogenic impacts on stock dynamics, requesting that future adjustments to fishing opportunities take into account socio-economic balances and dependencies on key stocks.
EAPO also stresses the urgent need to transition from species-by-species assessments to a multi-species approach to prevent ‘choke-species’ scenarios.
Key Stock Demands: Rollovers and Managed Increases
Seabass 8ab
EAPO welcomes the increase in advised fishing opportunities, but recommends a moderate 35% increase from the 2025 quota. This limited approach is designed to stabilise the stock over the long term and improve predictability by avoiding interannual fluctuations through 2033. They are asking the Commission to examine this multi-annual management strategy further.
Rollover Requests (TAC from 2025 to 2026):
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Pollack 8 and 9a: A rollover of the 1,199 tonnes TAC is requested. This is due to concerns that an unfavourable advice would lead to a severe choke situation for mixed fisheries fleets. EAPO also requests extending the ban on no-kill recreational fishing for this fragile species.
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Hake 8abde (Northern Hake): A rollover of the 58,272 tonnes TAC is proposed, noting that fishing mortality is lower than FMSY and stock biomass is high.
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Hake 8c and 9a: A rollover of the 17,445 tonnes TAC is recommended to maintain the socio-economics of fleets dependent on this resource.
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Sole 8c and 9a: A rollover is recommended to avoid the critical choke species situation that would be caused by the Commission’s proposed -28% reduction for 2026 and 2027.
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Plaice 8 and 9a: A rollover of the 124 tonnes TAC is requested, with the association recalling the importance of scientific monitoring to avoid harmful precautionary reductions.
Supported Increases (Following ICES Advice):
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Norway lobster 8a and 8b: EAPO supports the significant 54% increase in the advised TAC to 4,014 tonnes, but seeks greater stability for this stock in the future.
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Anglerfish 8abde: EAPO supports the ICES advice, setting the 2026 TAC at 58,480 tonnes.
