Decision No 1/2025 of the Specialised Committee on Fisheries established by Article 8(1)(q) of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the other part of 19 June 2025 as regards the arrangements on the level and conditions of access granted by each Party to vessels of the other Party to fish in its waters from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2038 [2025/1231]

## Report on Decision No 1/2025 of the Specialised Committee on Fisheries **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes Decision No 1/2025 of the Specialised Committee on Fisheries, established under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the UK. This decision sets out the arrangements for fishing access granted by each party to the other's vessels in their respective waters from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2038. The core purpose is to provide a framework for continued fishing access following the initial adjustment period outlined in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The key finding is that, provided TACs are agreed, each party will grant the other's vessels full access to specific fish stocks and non-quota stocks within their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) and specific areas between 6 and 12 nautical miles from baselines, based on historical fishing activity and agreed shares. This is, effectively, a 12 year extension on previous agreements, under similar terms. **2. Introduction:** This report aims to provide an informative overview of Decision No 1/2025 of the Specialised Committee on Fisheries, based solely on the text provided. It outlines the policy's objectives, key provisions, affected parties, implementation aspects, and potential outcomes for the fishing industry. **3. Policy Overview:** This is a new policy establishing fishing access arrangements between the EU and the UK. * **Core Objective(s):** To set out arrangements concerning the level and conditions of access granted by each Party to vessels of the other Party to fish in its waters from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2038. This aims to provide multiannual access to each other's waters and to define the access levels for the purposes of Article 5001, 4, and 5 of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. **4. Background and Rationale:** This policy addresses the need to establish a framework for reciprocal fishing access beyond the initial adjustment period stipulated in Annex 38 of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, which ends on 30 June 2026. Without this decision, the process for access would revert to the annual consultation process. The decision aims to ensure continuity and predictability for the fishing industry by defining access levels and conditions for a defined period of 12 years. **5. Key Provisions:** This policy establishes the following key provisions: * **Reciprocal Access:** Provided Total Allowable Catches (TACs) have been agreed, each party grants vessels of the other party full access to fish specific stocks listed in Annex 35 and tables A, B, and F of Annex 36 of the Agreement in each other's EEZ and in waters between six and twelve nautical miles from the baselines in ICES divisions 4c and 7dg. The access level is "reasonably commensurate" with each party's respective shares of the TACs. * **Non-Quota Stocks:** Full access is granted to fish non-quota stocks in each other's EEZ and the same specified waters at a level that at least equates to the average tonnage fished by that party in the other party's waters during the period 2012-2016. * **Qualifying Vessels:** Access between six and twelve nautical miles from the baselines in ICES divisions 4c and 7dg applies only for qualifying vessels, defined as those that had access to those waters on 31 December 2020, in accordance with Article 5004c of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. * **Provisional TACs:** The access arrangements also apply when a stock remains without an agreed TAC on 20 December of any given year, provided each party has set a provisional TAC pursuant to Article 499 of the Agreement. * **No Financial Commitments/Quota Transfers:** The arrangements do not include financial commitments or quota transfers between the Parties. * **Transparency:** The Parties may incorporate the arrangements into the written records of the annual fisheries consultations. * **Duration:** The decision applies from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2038 unless extended by the Specialised Committee on Fisheries. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience and stakeholders are: * Fishing vessels and operators of both the EU and the UK. * Fisheries management authorities of both the EU and the UK. * Communities dependent on fishing within the EU and the UK. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible agency/bodies:** The Specialised Committee on Fisheries, established by Article 81Q of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, is responsible for overseeing and potentially extending this decision. National fisheries authorities are responsible for enforcing the access provisions. * **Timelines:** The decision applies from 1 July 2026 and ceases to apply on 30 June 2038. There is a key date of 20 December each year related to the setting of provisional TACs. * The decision states that the arrangements "may" be incorporated into the written records of the annual fisheries consultations, so there is no mandatory procedure. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** This policy aims to: * Provide stability and predictability for fishing access for the next 12 years, which allows for more longer-term business planning within the fishing industry. * Ensure continued reciprocal access for vessels of both parties to important fishing grounds. * Prevent disruptions to fishing activity in the event of delays in agreeing on annual TACs. * Maintain the existing shares and provisions of Annexes 35, 36 and 37 of the Agreement. * Minimise administrative burden and ensure that access is based on historical fishing activity and agreed TAC shares. **9. Conclusion:** Decision No 1/2025 of the Specialised Committee on Fisheries is a significant policy that defines the terms of fishing access between the EU and the UK for a 12-year period. By establishing clear rules and conditions, the policy provides much-needed stability for the fishing industry, allowing for predictable, ongoing fishing operations. The success of this decision hinges on effective implementation and enforcement by the responsible agencies, as well as collaboration during annual consultations.

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