EU secures bluefin tuna quota increase at ICCAT meeting, boosting opportunities while bigeye tuna advice remains ignored
Agreement Reached After Late Negotiations
The European Union has secured a 17 percent increase in bluefin tuna fishing opportunities following the conclusion of the 2025 ICCAT annual meeting, after negotiations went down to the final moments.
ICCAT agreed a new total allowable catch of 48,403 tonnes per year for Atlantic bluefin tuna for the 2026 to 2028 management period. The outcome followed an EU proposal and reflects a substantial rise in permitted catches compared with previous years.
As a result of the decision, EU fishing opportunities for eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna will increase by 3,661 tonnes, bringing the EU total to 25,164 tonnes per year.
Commission Hails Science-Based Management
Costas Kadis, Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, said the agreement reflected long-term conservation efforts led by the EU.
“Almost 20 years ago bluefin tuna stock was close to depletion in the EU. In 2007, the EU and ICCAT introduced a multiannual recovery plan,” Kadis said. “At this year’s ICCAT meeting, after intense negotiations, the EU succeeded in having its proposal approved, and we can provide EU fishers with a 17% increase of bluefin tuna fishing quota for the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean.”
He argued the decision validated strict management rather than undermining it. “This is the result of years of science-based decisions and strict controls: if we trust the conservation process, we will have more stable, higher quotas and better incomes, not less,” Kadis said.
The increase is being presented by the Commission as evidence that bluefin tuna stocks have recovered sufficiently after years of restrictive measures, with the species now described as thriving once again.
Mixed Outcomes For Other Tuna Species
While the bluefin decision marked a clear gain for the EU, the meeting produced more limited progress on other stocks.
ICCAT failed to reach agreement on an EU proposal to increase the bigeye tuna TAC, despite scientific advice indicating scope for higher catches. That outcome is likely to frustrate segments of the fishing industry that argue the stock is improving and management measures remain overly restrictive.
However, delegates did agree to begin a process to address the allocation of a yellowfin tuna TAC, an issue that has become increasingly acute due to repeated overshooting of catch limits in recent years.
Shark Protections Tightened
Beyond tuna, ICCAT also adopted a measure to further restrict catches of southern shortfin mako sharks. The decision followed an EU proposal and is intended to accelerate recovery of the stock by reducing fishing mortality.
ICCAT, which counts 52 contracting parties including the EU, remains the regional fisheries management organisation responsible for tuna and tuna-like species in the Atlantic and adjoining seas. The annual meeting took place from 17 to 24 November 2025.
