No more monkfish

From today, 7 December, the Portuguese fishing fleet is banned from fishing for monkfish after the country exhausted 95% of its quota. Landings will now be limited to by-catches, said the Directorate-General for Natural Resources, Security and Maritime Services (DGRM).

Fishing trips that began after 12am on 7 December are forbidden to fish for this species, with landings limited to by-catches of “up to 5% of the total fish landed per vessel on each trip”.

As far back as 16 September, the DGRM issued a warning that the country had used up 80% of its monkfish quota.

The DGRM is an independent state administrative department that is charged with ensuring maritime safety and services, the implementation of fisheries policies and the preservation of resources.