Spanish Fisheries Minister Luis Planas celebrates 2025 fishing agreements ensuring sustainable quotas and stability for Spain’s fleet
Spain has secured significant wins for its Atlantic fishing fleet in 2025, following intense negotiations led by Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food, Luis Planas.
The agreements, reached during the EU Fisheries Council, offer stability and growth for key species and ensure the viability of Spain’s fishing industry amid challenging international negotiations.
Key Gains for Atlantic Species
Minister Planas highlighted exceptional results for Atlantic species such as hake, anglerfish, and horse mackerel, which are vital for Spain’s economy and highly valued in the markets. Spain’s success extends to agreements with the UK and Norway, solidifying its leadership in sustainable fisheries management.
- Southern Hake: With a maintained quota of 10,953 tonnes, southern hake remains a cornerstone for Spain’s Cantabrian, Northwest, and Gulf of Cádiz fleets. Planas cited the stable fishery as critical for maintaining economic and social stability in coastal regions.
- Anglerfish and Southern Megrim: Quotas for southern anglerfish and megrim have increased by 625 tonnes and 732 tonnes, respectively, representing a boon for Spanish fisheries.
- Nephrops: In the Gulf of Cádiz, the nephrops quota was maintained at 32 tonnes, overturning a proposed six-tonne reduction and ensuring the stability of the trawling fleet.
Renewed Opportunities in Horse Mackerel
Horse mackerel quotas saw a dramatic boost, marking a turning point for Spanish fisheries. For the first time in years, Spain will engage in directed fishing for horse mackerel, with quotas increasing nearly fivefold in critical areas:
- Area 2a-14: Quota rises from 1,303 tonnes in 2024 to 6,719 tonnes in 2025.
- Area 8c: Quota jumps from 1,878 tonnes to 8,751 tonnes.
Planas lauded this development as transformative for the Cantabrian-Northwest fleet, particularly benefitting purse seine and trawling operations.
Cod and Arctic Species
The EU-Norway agreement includes improved access to Arctic cod fisheries, a key resource for Galicia’s fleet:
- Arctic Cod: Spain’s quota increases to 2,617 tonnes, a 3% rise compared to 2024.
- Arctic Redfish: The 106-tonne quota remains unchanged, supporting Spain’s Arctic operations.
A historic milestone was also reached with the reopening of the Newfoundland cod fishery after 32 years, granting Spain a 150-tonne quota for this iconic species.
ICCAT Negotiations Deliver for Tuna and Swordfish
The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) negotiations yielded positive outcomes for Spain:
- Bigeye Tuna: Spain’s quota increased by 86 tonnes, bringing the total to 7,524 tonnes. Measures reducing FAD (fish aggregating devices) closures from 72 to 45 days will further enhance efficiency.
- Northern Swordfish: Spain’s quota rose by 572 tonnes to 6,097 tonnes, benefiting longline fleets, particularly in Galicia.
Stable and Sustainable Framework
The agreements underscore Spain’s commitment to balancing environmental sustainability with economic stability. Planas emphasized the importance of socio-economic data in influencing EU decisions, resulting in an overall boost in quotas for commercially significant species.
“These agreements reflect our dedication to sustainable fishing and the well-being of coastal communities,” Planas said. “We have demonstrated that socio-economic considerations can coexist with resource conservation.”
Future Outlook
The success in the Atlantic negotiations reinforces Spain’s position as a leader in sustainable fisheries. By securing stable quotas and advocating for evidence-based policies, Spain ensures that its fleets can thrive while maintaining the health of marine ecosystems. These achievements highlight the critical role of collaboration and data-driven decisions in addressing the challenges facing the fishing industry.
Source: Press Release