European Union leaders at the Council have approved a fishing deal with the United Kingdom for 2026 that sets out fishing opportunities for shared stocks under the EU UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The decision was taken on 10 December and covers 95 total allowable catches for fish stocks jointly managed by the EU and the UK, securing access rights for EU vessels in the Atlantic and the North Sea for the coming year. The agreement is based on scientific advice and aims to provide stability and certainty for fishers and the wider industry. Under the deal, the EU and the UK agreed fishing opportunities for the 2026 season informed by the latest scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. For stocks where scientific recommendations advised zero catches, the parties established specific catch limits for by caught species to avoid unintended closures of healthy fisheries. These arrangements are designed to support the sustainable management goals embedded in the common fisheries policy and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement framework. The Council’s decision is part of the annual process set out in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, which governs how the EU and the UK determine fishing rights and quotas following Britain’s departure from the European Union. The process involves negotiations led by the European Commission and considers international obligations, scientific advice, and the need to protect the livelihoods of fishers on both sides. The quotas agreed for shared stocks will be integrated into broader decisions on overall fishing opportunities across EU waters at forthcoming Agriculture and Fisheries Council meetings. The new arrangements will take effect from 1 January 2026, providing both EU and British fleets with clarity ahead of the coming season and ensuring continuity in access arrangements under the post Brexit relationship. For several jointly managed stocks with scientific data that does not align with the calendar year, such as sandeel and Norway pout, the EU and UK will hold additional consultations in 2026. According to figures released by the European Commission, the agreement covers fisheries worth an estimated 1.2 billion euros for EU fleets, with arrangements allowing EU vessels to catch up to 288000 tonnes of fish under the shared quotas. These figures underline the economic significance of the annual fisheries settlement for coastal communities and national fishing industries across several member states. The annual talks between Brussels and London take place within a legal framework established by the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the post Brexit treaty governing bilateral relations in areas including fisheries. The agreement requires both sides to consult each year on quotas and access in shared waters, with decisions taken on the basis of scientific evidence and with the stated aim of balancing ecological sustainability with economic interests. Industry reaction to fisheries negotiations during 2025 has been mixed, with some producer organisations raising concerns about technical measures and their impact on operations. In the UK, parts of the fishing sector have criticised aspects of recent EU UK fisheries arrangements, arguing that certain restrictions and quota outcomes reflect ongoing structural tensions in the post Brexit management of shared stocks. The fishing deal forms part of a broader pattern of EU UK cooperation that has continued through 2025, alongside agreements and discussions on trade, security, and regulatory coordination. Fisheries remains one of the most politically sensitive elements of the post Brexit relationship, but the annual quota setting process has continued to deliver functional agreements despite wider diplomatic frictions. The approval by the EU Council anchors fishing rights and opportunities for 2026 in agreed quotas and procedures, offering predictability for fleets operating in EU and UK waters. As implementation begins, both sides will monitor stock levels and conduct further consultations where scientific advice points to the need for adjustments. The 2026 agreement follows the established rhythm of annual fisheries deals since the UK left the Common Fisheries Policy, with shared stocks and access rights renegotiated each year under the existing treaty framework. This cycle reflects the ongoing joint management of marine resources in the North Atlantic and the North Sea between the EU and the UK....