The fishermen of Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa have made a bittersweet assessment of the fishing quotas set by the EU

The 2026 Fisheries Quota Agreement reached last night by the European Fisheries Ministers Commerce has led to a different assessment among fishermen in Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa, where there have been many changes between species.

The pact is good news for the inshore fishermenof Gipuzkoa and Bizkaia. The share of pretty (+17%) and red tuna and anchovy will increase.

On the other hand, the agreement has caused unrest among high-altitude fishermen , who have lowered hake, rooster, tongue fish, and rape prey, but the verdel has suffered the most blows, a 70% reduction.

The Basque fishermen have called for a ban on fishing for this species, rather than a reduction in the quota, given the 'serious biomass situation', as detailed by the General Secretary of the Federation of Cofradías de Pescadores de Gipuzkoa, Mira Garmendia, who said that the ban would prevent the overfishing carried out so far by the northern countries.

On the other hand, the Basque Governmenthas announced that it is considering measures to mitigate losses to ships at high altitude.