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 13695/11).
This is the third consecutive year that this closure has been implemented, at the request of Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. According to a report by the French observatory PELAGIS, dolphin mortality due to incidental catches in 2025 is significantly lower than the levels observed before the measure was introduced.
Around 300 EU vessels are affected. Financial compensation is available through the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMAF) or State aid.
The captains of all EU fishing vessels must make a separate record in the fishing logbook of any incidental catches of common dolphins or other small cetaceans. Member States are required to collect data on these catches using on-board observers and/or electronic monitoring systems with cameras. Monitoring must cover at least 1% of the total fishing effort, measured in days at sea, for the fisheries concerned operating all year round, particularly those using pelagic and demersal trawls.
In addition, some trawls will have to use acoustic deterrent devices all year round.
Further details: https://aeur.eu/f/k63 (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)