Faroe Islands and Russia Finalize 2026 Fishing Quota Agreement

On December 30, 2025, the Faroe Islands and Russia concluded negotiations on mutual fishing rights for 2026. The agreement, effective from January 1, 2026, includes quota reductions for both parties due to the biological status of key fish species.

Details of the Agreement

Faroese quotas in Russian waters for 2026 are set at 6,306 tonnes for cod, 1,484 tonnes for haddock, 900 tonnes for flatfish, and 4,000 tonnes for shrimp. This represents an overall decrease of 655 tonnes in Faroese demersal quotas in the Barents Sea, with a reduction of 1,139 tonnes for cod and an increase of 484 tonnes for haddock.

Russian quotas in Faroese waters will also decrease, with Norway pout reduced by 10,000 tonnes and mackerel by 3,879 tonnes. The quota for North Sea herring will increase slightly to 7,714 tonnes. Russian vessels are permitted to fish 65,000 tonnes of Norway pout and 4,201 tonnes of mackerel in Faroese and international waters.

Implementation of Restrictive Measures

From January 1, 2026, the Faroe Islands will implement restrictive measures involving two Russian shipping companies. Vessels from these entities will be barred from fishing in Faroese waters and will not have access to Faroese ports. Additionally, Russian vessels remain prohibited from fishing in the exclusive zone shared by the Faroe Islands and the UK.

For more information, refer to the official announcement by the Government of the Faroe Islands.