EU fisheries ministers concluded two days of discussions with a binding agreement on fishing quotas for 2026. The Council of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers approved both catch limits and fishing effort levels for the coming year, with some measures extending through 2028. The agreement covers key commercial stocks in the Atlantic, North Sea, Mediterranean, and Black Sea, giving the fishing industry a clearer and more predictable framework.
Fishing effort combines vessel size, engine power, and the number of days spent at sea. After intensive talks, all 27 Member States reached a compromise balancing scientific guidance with economic viability. Danish fisheries minister Jacob Jensen emphasized that the agreement provides certainty for fishermen in 2026 while fostering long-term sustainability for the sector.
Adjustments in northern waters reflect mixed stock trends
In the Atlantic and North Sea, the EU independently manages 24 total allowable catches. Regulators raised quotas for certain species after updated stock assessments. Megrim quotas increased by 12 percent in waters south of the Bay of Biscay, and Norway lobster quotas jumped 54 percent in the same area, signaling recovery.
Conversely, other northern stocks face reductions. Standard sole quotas fell by 45 percent in the Kattegat and Baltic, horse mackerel dropped 5 percent in Portuguese waters, pollack fell 13 percent, and monkfish declined 1 percent. Mackerel remains unresolved; ministers imposed provisional quotas for the first half of the year, cutting them by 70 percent while consultations continue among North-East Atlantic coastal countries.
Southern regions prioritize consistency and cautious management
In the Western Mediterranean, authorities kept trawler fishing effort at 2025 levels. Limits for blue and red shrimp also remained unchanged, maintaining stability for sensitive stocks. In the Black Sea, managers slightly reduced turbot quotas compared with last year, reflecting a careful approach to conserve stocks while sustaining local fisheries.
