The UK fishing industry will receive more than 2,000 tonnes of fishing opportunities in Faroese waters, following annual negotiations with the Faroe Islands for 2025.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) revealed that based on historical prices, the opportunities are valued at £5 million to the UK. The agreement secures UK fishermen 880 tonnes of cod and haddock, 575 tonnes of saithe, as well as redfish, blue ling and ling, flatfish and other species in Faroese waters. 

Defra said the agreement also reconfirms the UK and Faroese commitments to scientific cooperation and to establish a new joint Compliance Forum, which will allow the parties to share good practice on monitoring, control and surveillance.

The deal follows the conclusion of negotiations with the EU, Norway and other coastal States at the end of 2024. In total, this brings fishing opportunities secured for the UK fleet in 2025 in the main negotiating forums to 750,000, worth up to £960 million based on historic landing prices.

Minister of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Daniel Zeichner MP, said: “I’m pleased the UK has reached an agreement with the Faroe Islands that will allow UK fishing vessels to take advantage of valuable fishing opportunities in 2025.  

“This agreement concludes the UK’s fisheries negotiations for 2025 and will see our fleet ready to take advantage of the quotas secured through these key negotiating forums. This Government will always stand up for the British fishing industry, supporting our coastal communities through a sustainable and economically successful fishing sector.”

Throughout the negotiations, according to Defra, the UK Government worked closely with the devolved administrations to ensure that all fishing communities across the UK will benefit from the agreement.