EU-UK Agree On 2025 Albacore Opportunities

The EU and UK reached an agreement earlier this week on fishing for over 88 total allowable catches (TACs) in the North-East Atlantic Ocean. This deal secures fishing opportunities for the EU fleet, which catches albacore in this part of the ocean and other seafood, for about 428,000 tons estimated to be worth EUR 1.4 billion. The UK does not have large industrial tuna vessels operating in the Atlantic.

The December 8 EU document stated that “each party will grant access to vessels of the other party in 2024 to target an initial of 280 tons of albacore in its EEZ. This total tonnage may be increased in-year by agreement between the parties.” The 2025 Thunnus albacares tonnages were not specified. Tuna and other fish stocks jointly managed by the EU and the UK are considered shared resources under international law following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU in 2020 during Brexit. Both parties hold annual consultations to determine the overall TACs for the upcoming year under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.