Barents Sea Cod and Haddock Quotas agreed for 2026

*News this morning – Norway and Russia have reached a provisional agreement on Barents Sea fisheries quotas for 2026 following online consultations of the Norwegian-Russian Joint Fisheries Committee (JNRFC)

2026 Barents Sea Cod Quota Reduced
Under the agreement, the total allowable catch (TAC) for Atlantic cod in the Barents Sea will be set at 285,000 tons for 2026, representing a 16% reduction compared to 2025. Although substantial, the cut is smaller than the 21% reduction recommended by the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research (IMR).

Haddock Quota Increased in Line With Science
In contrast, the committee agreed to increase the Barents Sea haddock quota to 153,293 tons, an 18% year-on-year rise. The decision fully aligns with IMR’s scientific advice, reflecting healthier stock conditions and stronger recruitment in the haddock fishery.

NFFF President Andrew Crook commented “Whilst the cod quota is not as low as anticipated we still have a significantly lower total allowable catch for cod than we have seen for many years. It is more important than ever that operators keep a close eye on their portion sizes and explore alternative species.”

https://www.regjeringen.no/en/whats-new/enighet-om-norsk-russisk-fiskeriavtale-for-2026/id3143864