Spain authorises 718-tonne provisional anchovy quota

Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has authorised a provisional quota of 718 tonnes for the anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) fishery in the Atlantic waters off the country's north and northwest coast. The authorisation is for the period from July 1 to September 30.

The provisional quota for the summer season is a significant increase from the 27.2 tonnes set for the same period last year. The ministry stated the quota guarantees the continuity of the fishery and allows the purse seine fleet to maintain its activity.

The provisional Total Allowable Catch (TAC) was proposed by the European Commission, following a scientific recommendation issued by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) on June 20. The full-year ICES recommendation sets a catch limit of 22,871 tonnes for the period from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.

The quota will be available to all purse seine vessels in the Cantabrian and Northwest regions with no individual catch limits initially. The ministry noted that this year's management benefits from a recent European regulation that allows for differentiated management of the anchovy stock components in the region.