Bluefin tuna quota increases by 21% in 2026, announces Regional Government
Horta
Secretaria Regional do Mar e das Pescas
The bluefin tuna fishing quota will increase by 21% in 2026, allowing Azorean fishers to catch 115 tonnes of this highly commercial species.
This increase stems from negotiations between the Governments of the Azores and Madeira, through their regional fisheries services, and the Directorate-General for Natural Resources, Safety and Maritime Services, leading to an increase in the available quota by 20 tonnes, from 95 tonnes in 2025 to 115 tonnes in 2026.
This measure represents a significant boost to economic opportunities for the fishing sector and coastal communities dependent on this activity.
According to the order issued by the Directorate-General for Natural Resources, Safety and Maritime Services, the distribution of the national bluefin tuna quota in the Atlantic Ocean, east of 45º W, and in the Mediterranean Sea has been defined within the framework of the fishing plan submitted to the European Commission. For 2026, Portugal has a total quota of 746.51 tonnes.
The increase in the quota for targeted fishing in the Azores and Madeira is aligned with the growing value of bluefin tuna on international markets, where the species has high commercial value and demand, especially in the food export industry.
Increased catches could translate into higher income for Azorean shipowners and fishers, boosting the local economy and associated logistics chains, such as processing, transport and trade.
In addition to targeted fishing, the Order also establishes the allocation of 106.01 tonnes for bycatch to vessels with ports of reference in Mainland Portugal, the Azores and Madeira, ensuring greater operational flexibility for the sector.
The Regional Government defends that the contribution of bluefin tuna to the economic sustainability of fishing communities must be accompanied by responsible fisheries management on the part of shipowners, focusing on maximising the price of this species on the first-sale fish market.
