“Considering the catch data from the Portuguese fleet of the monkfish population in zones eight c, nine, 10 and EU waters of CECAF zone 34.1.1, it is reported that the quota utilization has reached 95%,” reads a note from the DGRM.
Zone eight c refers to the Southern Bay of Biscay, zone nine corresponds to Portuguese waters and zone 10 to the Azores Bank.
Therefore, monkfish fishing is prohibited from Monday.
The ban on this fishing had already been announced for October 21st, but the DGRM (Directorate-General for Maritime Resources) later cancelled the ban in light of the prospect of increasing the quota.
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Português (Brasil)
Monkfish is a bottom feeder so nets are dragged along the ocean bed to catch them. But the trailing nets catch everything and destroys any other life on the ocean bed. The amount of monkfish that is for sale through retail outlets and restaurants is unsustainable so definitely needs halting until stock levels rise.
By David Clark from UK on 17 Nov 2025, 00:22