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European Union

European Commission Imposes Fisheries Closure for Bigeye Tuna in the Atlantic Ocean

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The European Commission has taken measures to protect the bigeye tuna stock in the Atlantic Ocean. In a regulation issued on August 29, 2025, the Commission established a fisheries closure for bigeye tuna to vessels flying the flag of or registered in Portugal. This decision comes after Portugal's quota for 2025 was exhausted, and catches exceeded the allocated amount. The closure prohibits retaining, relocating, transhipping, or landing bigeye tuna caught after the designated date.

Key Takeaways:

  • The European Commission has implemented a fisheries closure for bigeye tuna in the Atlantic Ocean, effective from the date set out in the Annex, to vessels flying the flag of or registered in Portugal.
  • The measure was taken due to Portugal's quota for 2025 being exhausted, with catches exceeding the allocated amount.
  • The closure prohibits retaining, relocating, transhipping, or landing bigeye tuna caught by Portuguese vessels after the designated date.
  • Council Regulation (EU) 2025/1783 amends Regulations (EC) No 847/96, (EC) No 2371/2002, and other directives to establish a Union control system for ensuring compliance with the common fisheries policy.
  • The regulation was adopted by the Commission on behalf of the President, Costas KADIS, Member of the Commission.
  • The fisheries closure aims to protect the bigeye tuna stock in the Atlantic Ocean and ensure sustainable fishing practices.
  • The regulation enters into force on the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Statistics:

  • The quota for bigeye tuna in the Atlantic Ocean for Portugal in 2025 was exhausted.
  • Catches of bigeye tuna by Portuguese vessels exceeded the allocated quota amount.
  • The regulation affects vessels flying the flag of or registered in Portugal.
  • The closure applies to the sale, transfer, or importation of bigeye tuna caught by Portuguese vessels after the designated date.

Sources:

  • COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2025/1783 of 29 August 2025 establishing a fisheries closure for bigeye tuna in the Atlantic Ocean for vessels flying the flag of or registered in Portugal.
  • Council Regulation (EU) 2025/202 of 30 January 2025 fixing for 2025 and 2026 the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks, applicable in Union waters and, for Union fishing vessels, in certain non-Union waters.

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