Spain sets final mackerel quotas for Cantabrian and Northwest fleets, allocating 9,745 tonnes and benefiting over 4,300 fishermen across key segments
Spain Confirms Final Mackerel Quotas for 2026 Season
The Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has confirmed the final allocation of southern mackerel quotas for the Cantabrian and Northwest fleets, establishing a definitive quota of 9,745 tonnes for 2026.
The announcement was published in Spain’s Official State Gazette and includes additional initial quotas for species such as horse mackerel, hake and Norway lobster.
The allocation benefits around 4,300 vessels across purse seine, bottom‑trawl and other gear types operating in the Cantabrian Sea, the Northwest fishing grounds, the Gulf of Cádiz and Spanish bottom‑trawlers working in Portuguese waters.
Advance Publication Gives the Fleet Time to Prepare
This year’s publication arrives almost a month earlier than in 2025. The ministry said the early release is intended to give fleets the time needed to plan operations at the start of the year and to provide financial certainty for vessel owners, crew and associated supply chains.
Southern mackerel remains a cornerstone species for many purse‑seine, bottom‑trawl and small‑scale fleets in the region. Because of this, early clarity on quota shares is seen as essential for operational stability.
Spain Boosts National Quota Through Exchanges and Flexibility
The final figure of 9,745 tonnes reflects what the ministry describes as a significant administrative effort to counter the quota reduction proposed by the European Commission due to the sensitive biological state of the stock. The increase was made possible through quota exchanges with other EU Member States, the use of special management provisions and inter‑annual flexibility.
The ministry confirmed these details during a meeting held last week between the Secretary‑General for Fisheries, Isabel Artime, affected industry representatives and autonomous communities.
Staggered Opening Planned for Different Gear Types
The Secretariat‑General for Fisheries is currently preparing the opening resolutions for directed southern mackerel fishing for other gear segments. These openings will take place in a staggered manner, taking into account the highly migratory nature of mackerel, which allows for more efficient utilisation of the available resource.
The ministry emphasised that staggered openings help avoid congestion in the fishery, improve catch quality and ensure optimal distribution of effort as the stock moves along the coast.
Strong Signal of Government Commitment to the Fishing Sector
The ministry said the distribution of the southern mackerel quota demonstrates its commitment to the Spanish fishing sector and highlights the level of cooperation between government and fishing companies. Spanish authorities say these efforts have allowed for greater quota availability at the start of the year and improved socio‑economic stability.
In total, the 2026 allocation supports 230 purse‑seiners, 57 bottom‑trawlers, and more than 4,000 vessels using other gear types across the Cantabrian and Northwest grounds. The ministry notes that this volume is vital for maintaining supply to hospitality, retail and processing sectors, where southern mackerel remains a highly valued product.
