Commission proposes extending the Bay of Biscay fishing closure to protect dolphins into winter 2027

The European Commission has proposed extending the winter fishing closure in the Bay of Biscay—aimed at reducing bycatch of strictly protected common dolphins and other small cetaceans—through winter 2027. The plan would apply to fishing vessels over eight metres, following a regionalised approach under the common fisheries policy and requests from Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain for the fourth consecutive year. The closure is expected to last 30 consecutive days between 15 January and 27 February 2027, with fishers able to notify national authorities of their preferred dates. Without notification, the fixed window would run from 22 January to 20 February 2027.