The increase in restrictions among this year’s fisheries management measures aims to safeguard marine fauna. However, analysts say the rise in market catch levels still falls short of meeting domestic demand.
The Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the semi-industrial and industrial fishing segments increased by 23.2% to 268,453 tonnes this year, representing an additional 50,601 tonnes after successive cuts in 2024 and 2025. The figures were calculated by Expansão based on Presidential Decree No. 38/26 recently published in the Diário da República, which outlines management measures for marine fisheries, inland fishing, aquaculture and salt production.
Despite the increase, fishing industry operators remain cautious, arguing that the authorised quantities for this year are still insufficient to meet the needs of the population and ensure the normal functioning of the processing industry’s value chain.
Industry representatives also recall that previous cuts in the TAC—28.5% in 2024 to 305,845 tonnes and 23% in 2025 to 217,852 tonnes—had a negative impact on the sector by limiting the activities of many companies and contributing to job losses.
While the Government has increased the allowable catch volume, it has also tightened prohibitions and restrictions to protect marine fauna, which has been heavily affected by illegal fishing and trawling in prohibited areas. For instance, compared with previous years, the Government has now banned the construction of fish landing, processing and transformation infrastructure without prior authorisation from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MINPERMAR).
Fishing in bays and ports has also been prohibited, as well as the targeted capture of female lobsters and egg-bearing crabs. Beach trawling (banda-banda) along the entire coastline, including sensitive zones, has been banned, as have pair trawling and fishing using explosives.
Export restrictions have also been introduced. Mackerel exports will depend on declared catch volumes and will be subject to limitations. For this year, fish imports will also be restricted according to the population’s consumption needs and measures aimed at promoting the national fishing and aquaculture industries.
Other restrictions include the establishment of sea salt production infrastructure without prior authorisation from the relevant ministry, the landing of shark species without fins attached—since the fins must remain attached to the carcass until landing—and the processing of fish (salting and drying) directly on the ground or in cement tanks.
The measures aim to ensure a balance between the exploitation and conservation of aquatic biological resources while promoting sustainable aquaculture. For artisanal fishing, the authorised quota remains unchanged at 120,000 tonnes, the same as last year.
Horse mackerel records the largest increase
Among the three main categories of fish species, pelagic species—which include horse mackerel, sardinella (sardine) and mackerel—represent 68% of the total catch and recorded the largest increases. The authorised volume rose from 144,870 tonnes in 2025 to 183,370 tonnes in 2026, an increase of 38,500 tonnes or 27%.
Sardinella, one of the most widely consumed species by the population, stands out with an increase of around 60%, rising from 50,000 to 80,000 tonnes.
Meanwhile, demersal species, which account for 26% of the total catch, increased by 6% to 70,993 tonnes, an additional 4,101 tonnes.
This increase is largely due to swordfish, whose quota doubled from 4,000 tonnes in 2025 to 8,000 tonnes in 2026.
Crustaceans and molluscs—comprising shrimp, crab and prawns, among others—remain unchanged at 6,090 tonnes, the same level recorded last year.
Source: Expansão
