Red tuna quota to be fished in the Canary Islands in 2026 published

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) has established a **quota of 537 tons** for the **bluefin tuna campaign in the Canary Islands in 2026**, a quota available for a total of **250 vessels**. The resolution, published this Tuesday in the Official State Gazette (BOE), specifies that in 2026, vessel substitutions during the campaign will not be permitted, nor will joint management. Except in the case of vessels owned by the same owner, vessels owned by family members whose relationship is parents and children, and also between siblings, or vessels operated by the same exploitation community. Thus, **90% of the total quota for the Canary Islands is allocated**, considering that, in turn, **40% of this amount can be used by vessels using artisanal gear** and **60% by pole-and-line tuna vessels**. The **remaining 10% of the total quota for the Canary Islands is allocated linearly to vessels with a total length of less than 12 meters**, the document specified. According to the BOE, **vessels that have caught** any bluefin tuna specimens before joint management of their catch limits is authorized and communicated **will not be able to participate** in it. Regarding the start and end of the campaign, two fishing periods have been established. The first from midnight on **January 20 and will end on the night of May 31**, the second will begin on the night of **June 1 and will end on December 31**. All vessels must have a **special permit** for bluefin tuna fishing to carry out the activity. Furthermore, if the limit of 12% of the quota allocated to the Canary Islands is exceeded before February 28, the Olympic fishing period will be closed and a period with individual limits per vessel will be opened. If, after the closure, an overfishing of the quota is confirmed, the exceeded amount may be deducted from the 2027 quota that may correspond to the pole-and-line vessels authorized to fish in the Canary fishing grounds, based on what was overfished by each vessel or group of vessels, the text concluded.