In late December 2025, the European Commission announced the extension of the winter fishing closure in the Bay of Biscay in order to prevent incidental catches of common dolphins and other small cetaceans, species strictly protected by the Habitats Directive.
The measure will apply to vessels over eight metres 22 January to 20 February 2026 (see EUROPE B13695A11).
This is the third consecutive year that this closure has been implemented, at the request of Belgium, France, the...