After two days of intensive negotiations, EU fisheries ministers reached an agreement on quotas for 2026. The Council of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers approved both catch limits and rules on fishing effort, with some measures extending to 2028. The agreement covers the most commercially important stocks in the Atlantic, North Sea, Mediterranean, and Black Sea, providing clarity and predictability for the sector.
Fishing effort considers vessel size, engine power, and the number of days spent at sea. All 27 Member States worked out a compromise that balances scientific advice with economic sustainability for the industry. Danish fisheries minister Jacob Jensen said the pact gives fishermen certainty for 2026 and helps secure long-term conditions for a sustainable fisheries sector.
Shifts in Northern Waters Quotas
In the Atlantic and North Sea, the EU manages 24 total allowable catches independently. Authorities raised quotas for several species, reflecting improved stock levels. Megrim quotas grew by 12 percent in waters south of the Bay of Biscay, and Norway lobster quotas increased sharply by 54 percent.
Other species faced tighter restrictions. Standard sole quotas dropped by 45 percent in the Kattegat and Baltic, horse mackerel fell 5 percent in Portuguese waters, pollack declined 13 percent, and monkfish fell 1 percent. Ministers set provisional mackerel quotas for the first half of 2026, cutting them by 70 percent while awaiting further consultations among North-East Atlantic coastal countries.
Mediterranean and Black Sea Policies Remain Cautious
In the Western Mediterranean, authorities maintained trawler fishing effort at 2025 levels and kept existing limits for blue and red shrimp unchanged. In the Black Sea, turbot quotas fell slightly compared with last year. Officials adopted these measures to protect vulnerable stocks and support cautious management of the region’s fisheries.
