France’s National Fisheries Committee (CNPMEM) has allocated 135 sea bass fishing licences (for the Bay of Biscay and northern stocks) for the 2026-2027 season to 111 new vessel owners, 46 for the Bay of Biscay and 65 for northern waters.
This major decision follows the favourable scientific findings published by ICES in 2025, which revealed a strong stock recovery with an increase of 138% for sea bass in the Bay of Biscay and 151% for northern sea bass. For the Bay of Biscay, this is primarily the result of significant work to reallocate inactive licences.
For northern sea bass, this is the result of the substantial stock restoration efforts undertaken by the industry. These allocations will support the development of the activity, while also contributing to a sustainable and responsible approach to resource management.
For the Bay of Biscay these new licenses allow vessels to join the fleet without increasing the total number of available licences. They come from reserve and dormant licences that have been reclaimed to better align the quota with actively operating vessels and to limit the number of inactive licences.
These 20 targeted and 50 bycatch licences are distributed between Brittany, Pays de la Loire and Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Nearly two-thirds of the licenses are awarded to vessels under 12 metres, highlighting the essential role of small-scale coastal fishing in the sea bass industry.
For northern waters, 65 new licences measure less than 12 metres, of which 75% measure under 10 metres, highlighting the major role of small-scale fishing in this fishery.
‘This licensing initiative sends an encouraging signal to our industry and our fishermen. It illustrates the collective and in-depth work carried out by the CNPMEM and the Regional Committees to reconcile sustainable stock management, generational renewal in fishing businesses, and support for the industry,’ said CNPMEM President Olivier Le Nézet.
‘This process, based on transparent and proactive criteria, reflects our unwavering commitment to serving the profession.’
