Minister Heydon Highlights Major Cuts Facing Irish Fishing Quotas

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Minister Heydon warns of severe 2026 quota cuts, including 70% mackerel and 20% prawn reductions, deepening Ireland’s seafood crisis

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, has warned that the Irish fishing and seafood industries face a difficult year ahead following the publication of scientific advice for 2026 Total Allowable Catches (TACs).

Speaking after a briefing to Cabinet this morning, Minister Heydon described the scale of the recommended quota reductions as “deeply concerning” and warned that the impact would be felt across the entire seafood sector.

“I updated Government colleagues this morning on the difficult situation facing the Irish seafood sector in 2026. The scientific advice which is used to set Total Allowable Catches for each species has been published and the impact on Ireland is significant,” he said.

Recent scientific advice, which informs “Total Allowable Catch” and quota setting across EU member states, has indicated a significant cut in quota for species of major importance to the Irish fishing fleet and processing sector. Proposed reductions of 70% in mackerel and 20% in Dublin Bay prawns and langoustines, two of Ireland’s most valuable species, will severely impact the viability of affected operators.

“The scale of the reduction in Total Allowable Catch recommendations is deeply concerning and will significantly impact on the Irish Seafood sector. These reductions not only impact fishing boat operators but include the whole value chain in the seafood sector, particularly for fish processors with a loss of raw material and ancillary services who support the industry around the coast,” the Minister added.

Minister Heydon said he and Minister of State Timmy Dooley, along with officials and Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), would assess potential support measures for the industry “in the context of state aid rules and future available funds” before reporting back to Government.

FG’s Martin Heydon, TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The warning comes amid an escalating crisis in Ireland’s fishing sector, which has suffered from years of quota losses, increased regulation, and the ongoing effects of Brexit. Industry leaders have repeatedly criticised what they describe as unfair quota allocations and excessive bureaucracy, warning that coastal employment and processing capacity are being steadily eroded.

Irish fishing organisations, including the Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFPO) and the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation (KFO), have consistently called for urgent political intervention at both national and EU level. They argue that current quota arrangements leave Ireland disproportionately disadvantaged compared to other member states, particularly in key pelagic and demersal fisheries.

The latest advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) is expected to guide December’s EU Fisheries Council negotiations, where final TAC and quota decisions for 2026 will be made.

Minister Heydon acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating that “every effort will be made to mitigate the impact on our fishing and processing communities and to secure a fair outcome for Ireland at EU level.”

Source: Press Release

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