EU fisheries ministers finalized two days of negotiations, agreeing on fishing quotas for 2026. The Council of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers approved catch limits and fishing effort, with some measures extending through 2028. The pact covers key commercial stocks in the Atlantic, the North Sea, the Mediterranean, and the Black Sea, offering the fishing sector clarity and stability.
Fishing effort combines vessel size, engine power, and days spent at sea. After thorough discussions, all 27 Member States found a compromise balancing scientific guidance with economic needs. Danish fisheries minister Jacob Jensen highlighted that the agreement provides fishermen with predictable opportunities for 2026 while promoting long-term sustainability in the sector.
Northern Waters See Mixed Adjustments in Catch Limits
In the Atlantic and North Sea, the EU independently manages 24 total allowable catches. Regulators increased quotas for certain species. Megrim quotas rose 12 percent south of the Bay of Biscay, while Norway lobster increased 54 percent in the same area.
Other species saw reductions. Standard sole quotas fell 45 percent in the Kattegat and Baltic Sea. Horse mackerel limits dropped 5 percent in Portuguese waters. Pollack quotas fell 13 percent, and monkfish by 1 percent. Mackerel remains unresolved. Ministers set provisional quotas for the first half of the year, reducing catches by 70 percent while negotiations among North-East Atlantic coastal states continue.
Mediterranean and Black Sea Measures Prioritize Continuity
In the Western Mediterranean, policymakers kept trawler effort at 2025 levels and maintained limits for blue and red shrimp. These measures aim to avoid additional pressure on sensitive stocks. In the Black Sea, turbot quotas fell slightly compared with last year. Officials emphasized caution to support sustainable management in both regions.
