UK and Faroe Islands agree 2026 fisheries quota exchange, compliance measures, and scientific cooperation to ensure sustainable shared stock management
The United Kingdom and the Faroe Islands have concluded fisheries consultations for 2026, agreeing on quota exchanges, monitoring measures, and enhanced scientific cooperation to ensure sustainable management of shared stocks.
The agreement, signed on 22 December 2025, follows meetings held in Tórshavn and via videoconference in November and December. Delegations reaffirmed commitments under the 2020 Framework Agreement on Fisheries and welcomed reductions in fishing pressure achieved through recent North-East Atlantic mackerel agreements.
Key Quota Exchanges for 2026
Under the agreed record, both parties will exchange quotas for several species. The UK will transfer quotas for Greenland halibut (900 tonnes), haddock (204 tonnes), ling (304 tonnes), tusk (54 tonnes), and other stocks in ICES areas 4 and 6. In return, the Faroe Islands will provide the UK with 850 tonnes of cod and haddock, 600 tonnes of saithe, and additional allocations for redfish, blue ling, flatfish, and other species in Faroese waters.
Transfers of haddock, ling, and tusk from the UK are restricted to longline or jigreel vessels, with no more than four Faroese vessels targeting these stocks in UK waters at any one time.
Strengthened Monitoring and Compliance
Both delegations agreed to maintain effective monitoring, control, and surveillance measures. A new joint Compliance Forum will be established to enhance bilateral cooperation on risk management and bycatch reduction. The UK also confirmed that pelagic vessels operating in Scottish waters must have Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) systems installed and validated by 7 March 2026.
Electronic Data Exchange and Scientific Cooperation
The parties committed to progressing electronic data exchange under the UN/FLUX standard, with a bilateral agreement on electronic reporting systems planned before 2027 consultations. They also agreed to share detailed catch composition data and continue joint scientific research on pelagic, demersal, and deep-sea stocks.
Legislative Updates
The UK delegation highlighted new Scottish fisheries management measures introduced under the Offshore Fishing (Prohibition of Fishing Methods) (Scotland) Order 2025, which applies to 19 offshore Marine Protected Areas.