This allocation was granted at the 29th Annual Meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).
istock/GuidoMontaldo
Iceland's Ministry of Industry and Trade has confirmed that the bluefin tuna fishing quota has been increased from 224 tons to 254.13 tons, representing an increase of approximately 13%.
This allocation, granted at the 29th Annual Meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), could be increased if the European country requests it, although the increase would amount to just under 30 tons per year.
The 29th regular meeting took place in Seville from November 17 to 24, 2025. The Spanish Secretary General for Fisheries, Isabel Artime, met with more than 60 representatives from the fishing sector — including associations, companies, and regional governments — to discuss the review of the bluefin tuna quota for the 2026–2028 period.
The Ministry considers it necessary to review the regulations that prohibit foreign charter vessels, regulations that currently apply only to the bluefin tuna stock, according to a statement. It also expects the matter to be reviewed again, and will request scientific justification for the ban at that time.
Currently, only vessels flying the Icelandic flag can use Iceland’s fishing quotas. Since 2016, Icelandic fishers have not directly targeted East Atlantic bluefin tuna, although tuna caught as bycatch has been recorded.
In the same ICCAT meeting, Norway announced that its quota for Atlantic bluefin tuna for the next management period will increase by 25%. The new population assessment shows that there is a basis for a higher total quota over the next three years.