European Union and the United Kingdom - fisheries consultations: written record 2023

Albacore access

a) The Delegations agreed the access arrangements for albacore (ALB/AN05N) specified below. These arrangements will remain in place until 31 December 2023 and are without prejudice to arrangements in future years.

b) Each Party will grant access to vessels of the other Party in 2023 to target an initial total of 280 tonnes of albacore in its exclusive economic zone (as defined in Art. 495(1)(a) of the TCA. In accordance with Article 5(3), Part II (Access to waters) of Regulation 1380/2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy, this excludes access to waters up to 100 nautical miles from the baselines of the Union outermost regions.). This total tonnage may be increased in-year by agreement between the Parties.

c) Implementation of this access arrangement, including issuance of the relevant licences, will be discussed between the Parties ahead of the 2023 fishing season with a view to reaching a conclusion as soon as possible, and ideally before 1 April 2023. Further discussions may be held between the Parties with regard to access arrangements in the following years.

d) For greater certainty, the Parties confirm that all non-albacore catches (quota or non-quota stocks) by vessels fishing under this access arrangement are covered by Article 2(1) of Annex 38 to the TCA.