EU, UK reach $2.5-billion fishing deal for 2026

BRUSSELS, Belgium, Dec 11 (AFP): The European Union and Britain have reached a deal allowing their fleets to catch fish worth a total of $2.5 billion in 2026, both parties said on Wednesday.

"This agreement ensures EU fleets can fish up to 288,000 tonnes, worth over 1.2 billion euros ($1.4 billion)," the European Commission said in a statement.

For its part, the United Kingdom's food and environment ministry said the deal allowed "access to over 520,000 tonnes of fishing opportunities for 2026, worth an estimated o830 million ($1.1 billion)".

In the commission's eyes the deal, which also involves European Economic Area member Norway, "holds particular significance as the stocks covered comprise the bulk of the EU's shared resources with third countries in the North-East Atlantic".