EU fisheries ministers finalized two days of intense talks with an agreement on fishing quotas for 2026. The Council of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers approved catch limits and fishing effort rules, with some measures extending through 2028. The deal covers major commercial stocks in the Atlantic, North Sea, Mediterranean, and Black Sea, giving the industry a clearer framework to plan its activities.
The agreement measures fishing effort by vessel size, engine power, and days spent at sea. All 27 Member States reached a compromise that balances scientific guidance with economic needs. Danish fisheries minister Jacob Jensen said the pact provides fishermen certainty for 2026 and lays a foundation for long-term sustainability in the sector.
Northern Waters See Both Increases and Cuts
In the Atlantic and North Sea, the EU independently manages 24 total allowable catches. Authorities increased quotas for certain species after reviewing stock conditions. Megrim quotas rose 12 percent in waters south of the Bay of Biscay. Norway lobster quotas jumped 54 percent in the same area, reflecting strong stock recovery.
At the same time, regulators cut quotas for several species. Standard sole quotas fell 45 percent in the Kattegat and Baltic Sea. Horse mackerel dropped 5 percent in Portuguese waters, pollack fell 13 percent, and monkfish decreased 1 percent. Ministers treated mackerel as a special case, setting provisional quotas for the first half of 2026 with a 70 percent reduction while awaiting further consultations among North-East Atlantic coastal countries.
Southern Seas Maintain a Steady Course
In the Western Mediterranean, authorities kept trawler fishing effort at 2025 levels. Limits for blue and red shrimp remained unchanged to prevent overpressure on stocks. In the Black Sea, turbot quotas dropped slightly compared with last year, reflecting a cautious approach to fisheries management. These measures aim to safeguard stock health while allowing fishermen to operate under predictable rules.
