The UK and EU have agreed a package of additional technical fisheries measures for 2026 to support the recovery of severely depleted fish stocks in the Celtic Sea, Channel and Irish Sea.
These measures respond to scientific advice indicating critical stock conditions, including zero-catch advice for certain Celtic Sea cod, haddock and whiting stocks.
The agreed approach focuses on increasing fishing gear selectivity, particularly through larger mesh sizes and mandatory use of selective devices designed to reduce the capture of vulnerable species.
The measures apply primarily to vessels using otter trawls, seines and beam trawls and are intended to reduce bycatch of cod, haddock, whiting, sole and plaice while allowing sustainable fishing opportunities for other target species such as anglerfish, hake, megrim and nephrops.
The measures
Fishing vessels operating in the designated Celtic Sea Protection Zone will be required to use larger cod-end mesh sizes in trawl nets or install more selective escape panels and sorting devices that allow juvenile and vulnerable fish to escape.
The measures are intended to reduce unwanted catches of cod, haddock and whiting while maintaining fishing opportunities for species such as monkfish (anglerfish), hake, megrim and nephrops, better known as Dublin Bay prawns or langoustines.
Vessels targeting nephrops will face some of the most significant changes. Boats with catches containing more than 30% Norway lobster will be required to fit specialist selective equipment such as Nordmøre sorting grids, Netgrid devices or large-mesh escape panels designed to prevent cod and other depleted species from entering the catch.
Channel Fisheries Face New Restrictions
The agreement also introduces tougher measures in the English Channel, where stocks of cod, sole and plaice are considered depleted. Vessels using trawls and seines in ICES Division 7e will generally be required to use 100mm cod-end mesh sizes. Fisheries previously operating with smaller meshes will be required to increase to at least 90mm subject to permitted derogations, a move expected to reduce the capture of younger fish and allow more individuals to reach spawning age.
Officials have also committed to considering further restrictions in the eastern Channel during 2026, including the possibility of increasing minimum mesh sizes for additional trawl fisheries.
Irish Sea Measures Target Cod and Whiting Recovery
In the Irish Sea, attention is focused on rebuilding cod and whiting stocks, both of which remain at historically low levels.
Nephrops fisheries will again be required to adopt additional selective gear aimed at reducing bycatch of these species. Catch thresholds will be monitored using the live weight of fish landed after each trip.
Recovery Plans to Follow
The UK and EU have also committed to ongoing scientific monitoring and technical reviews.
Officials have been working on longer-term rebuilding plans for the most vulnerable stocks, with the aim of restoring populations to levels capable of delivering Maximum Sustainable Yield, the internationally recognised benchmark for sustainable fisheries management.
These changes were subject to licence conditions made on 1 November and will become enforceable on 26 November 2026.
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