Decision

23 December 2025: Change of circumstances in fishing opportunities for British fishing boats for Celtic Sea Whiting (Southern Celtic Seas and western English Channel)

Updated 23 December 2025

1. In the 23 December 2025 determination of fishing opportunities for British fishing boats, the Secretary of State set a total allowable catch (TAC) for Celtic Sea whiting (7b-c, e-k) which exceeded the headline advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) for 2026. This decision took into account the requirements of the Fisheries Act 2020, the Joint Fisheries Statement and the Western Waters Multiannual Plan (MAP) ^{[footnote 1]} and was necessary to secure overall agreement in international negotiations.

2. For the purposes of determining fishing opportunities, the UK considers scientific advice from ICES. ICES provide annual advice for whiting in the southern Celtic Seas and western English Channel, located in ICES Divisions 7.b-c and e-k - ICES stock code: whg.27.7b-ce-k. Whiting b-c, e-k is included within the same TAC management area as the separate biological stock whiting 7d, under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) code WHG/7X7A-C. The stocks are separated out consequent of the Recommendation agreed between the UK and EU in 2023, which sets out alternative management via ‘of which’s’. This results in separate and proportionate TAC allocations identified in the Written Record and allocated for British vessels via the Secretary of State Determination.

3. Whiting b-c, e-k is within scope of the Western Waters MAP (Article 1(1)(16)). The UK is therefore required to follow the provisions of the MAP when determining fishing opportunities for whiting b-c, e-k. The ICES headline advice for 2026 was for zero catch. ICES advised that the catch corresponding to FMSY^{[footnote 2]} was 1975 tonnes. The advice also indicated that the spawning stock biomass (SSB) is below biological reference points (Btrigger ^{[footnote 3]} and Blim^{[footnote 4]}), and consequently Article 8 of the MAP (safeguards) applies. Article 8(1) provides that when the SSB is below the biological reference point ‘Btrigger’, fishing opportunities for that stock should be set at a level which is consistent with a fishing mortality below the upper range of FMSY (defined as being below FMSY). In addition, Article 8(2) provides that when SSB is below the biological reference point ‘Blim’, further remedial measures shall be taken to ensure rapid return of the stock or functional unit concerned to levels above the level capable of producing Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY).

4. The bycatch-only TAC set for 2026 was 2310 tonnes, which is above the FMSY catch option required by Article 8(1). As the Secretary of State is determining the fishing opportunities for this stock other than in accordance with Articles 8(1) to (4), the Secretary of State is preparing and publishing this document in line with Article 8(5) to (7) of the MAP to describe the relevant change of circumstances arising and explain how that change has affected the Determination.

Change of circumstances and effect on determination

5. The relevant change of circumstance as required by the MAP relates to available scientific evidence and the international obligations of the United Kingdom. In June 2025 ICES provided annual science advice on fishing opportunities for whiting 7 b-c, e-k for 2026. It recommended that when the MSY approach and precautionary considerations are applied, there should be zero catch for 2026, and significantly reduced the catch scenario figure for FMSY.

6. A zero TAC would have a choke effect that would lead to the premature closure of other demersal fisheries where whiting is unavoidably caught as a bycatch. Consequently, the UK and EU agreed to avoid this impact by setting a bycatch TAC for the stock which allows other commercially important demersal fisheries to remain open.

7. The specific amount agreed was 2310 tonnes. This amount was required to sufficiently mitigate the risk of choke and agreement between the UK and EU on this matter was an essential component in securing final agreement on all stocks in the annual consultations. If no agreement is reached on TACs, the TCA requires the UK and EU to adopt provisional TACs which could introduce the risk of overfishing. International fisheries negotiations are one of the key mechanisms for achieving our objectives relating to sustainable fisheries management and provide the opportunity to influence the management of stocks beyond our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to prevent overfishing. They ensure the long-term sustainability of fish stocks and maintain the stability of marine ecosystems and coastal communities. Reaching agreement on this TAC supports that objective.

8. Although the fishing opportunity has been determined above the catch corresponding to FMSY, the EU and UK have agreed a number of measures designed to ensure the sustainability of the stock. By continuing to manage the 7d component of the stock separately, as set out in the Written Record, the risk of significant overfishing will be prevented. Moreover, the TAC set for the 7b-c, e-k component represents a 51% reduction compared to the bycatch TAC set for 2025. This 2026 TAC is forecast to provide an increase in SSB of more than 25%.

9. Further, the UK and EU also agreed to a joint set of technical measures with the aim of supporting the recovery of vulnerable stocks in the Celtic Sea, whiting included and also committed to developing rebuilding plans during 2026 on for a jointly agreed number of depleted stocks, including whiting. These are set out in the Written Record on Fishing Opportunities for 2026; the rebuilding plans shall be used to implement additional rebuilding measures or adjust existing remedial measures with the objective of supporting the recovery of stocks to levels consistent with the overall objective of achieving MSY.

10. The TAC was set above the ICES headline advice; however, working in partnership with our neighbouring coastal States to achieve overall agreement and ensuring that catch limits are set will help to promote the sustainable use of stocks and the responsible management of our respective waters, and so contribute towards managing all fisheries sustainably.

1. Assimilated Regulation (EU) 2019/472 ↩

2. FMSY is the fishing mortality consistent with achieving maximum sustainable yield (MSY) ↩

3. Btrigger is the biomass reference point that triggers a cautious response, normally a reduction in fishing pressure. ↩

4. Blim is the biomass limit reference point for spawning stock biomass (SSB) ↩