EU fisheries ministers concluded two days of negotiations with a clear agreement on fishing quotas for 2026. The Council of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers approved limits on catches and fishing effort, with some rules extending until 2028. The pact covers key commercial stocks in the Atlantic, North Sea, Mediterranean, and Black Sea, providing the fishing industry with long-term regulatory certainty.
The agreement defines fishing effort as a combination of vessel size, engine power, and days spent at sea. After intense discussions, all 27 Member States agreed on a compromise that aligns scientific advice with the sector’s economic needs. Danish fisheries minister Jacob Jensen said the deal gives fishermen clarity for 2026 and supports a sustainable fisheries sector in the future.
Northern Waters See Both Increases and Reductions in Quotas
The EU independently manages 24 total allowable catches in the Atlantic and North Sea. Regulators raised quotas for some species, including megrim, which increased 12 percent south of the Bay of Biscay, and Norway lobster, which jumped 54 percent in the same area.
Other species faced cuts to protect stocks. Standard sole quotas fell 45 percent in the Kattegat and Baltic, horse mackerel in Portuguese waters dropped 5 percent, pollack declined 13 percent, and monkfish decreased by 1 percent. Mackerel quotas remain provisional, with ministers cutting them by 70 percent for the first half of 2026 while North-East Atlantic coastal countries continue negotiations.
Southern Seas Maintain Stability With Minimal Adjustments
In the Western Mediterranean, authorities kept trawler fishing effort at 2025 levels and maintained limits for blue and red shrimp. In the Black Sea, managers slightly reduced turbot quotas compared with last year. These measures reflect a cautious approach, aiming to maintain stock health while providing continuity for local fisheries.
