The Faroe Islands and Russia have agreed on a new fisheries quota exchange for 2026, setting catch limits for key species and tightening access for Russian vessels.
The deal was finalised on 30 December after digital talks held before and after Christmas, according to the Faroese Ministry of Fisheries, Industry and Trade.
The agreement covers mutual fishing rights for 2026. It comes with overall cuts on both sides, driven by the biological status of several stocks.
Faroese quotas for bottom fish in the Barents Sea will fall by a combined 655 tonnes next year. At the same time, Russian quotas in Faroese waters will also be reduced, with limited access for Russian vessels.
Faroese quotas in Russian waters
Under the deal, Faroese vessels will be allowed to fish the following amounts in Russian waters in 2026: 6,306 tonnes of cod, 1,484 tonnes of haddock, 900 tonnes of flatfish and 4,000 tonnes of shrimp.
The cod quota drops by 1,139 tonnes compared with 2025. Haddock moves the other way, rising by 484 tonnes. As in 2025, Faroese bottom-fish quotas can be transferred to Norwegian waters, subject to agreement with Norway.
Faroese fisheries minister Eirikur í Jákupsstovu said he was pleased that an agreement was reached despite difficult times, as it gives the industry clearer conditions at the start of the year.
Russian quotas and access cut back
Russian quotas in Faroese waters will also be lower in 2026. The blue whiting quota is cut by 10,000 tonnes, and the mackerel quota by 3,879 tonnes. The quota for Norwegian spring-spawning herring rises slightly, by 1,914 tonnes.
In total, Russian quotas for 2026 are set at 65,000 tonnes of blue whiting, 4,201 tonnes of mackerel and 7,714 tonnes of herring. Russian vessels may fish these amounts in Faroese and international waters.
However, access is more restricted. Russian vessels may catch up to 30,953 tonnes of blue whiting in Faroese waters, a 41% cut from 2025 levels. They will not be allowed to fish in the Faroese-UK special area in 2026.
Sanctions affect fishing rights
From 1 January 2026, the Faroe Islands will implement restrictive measures in line with those of other Western countries. These measures cover two Russian shipping companies.
Vessels linked to those companies will not be granted licences to fish or operate in Faroese waters in 2026. They will also be denied access to Faroese ports.
The ministry said these steps directly affect how the fisheries agreement will be applied next year.