After two days of negotiations, EU fisheries ministers agreed on fishing quotas for 2026. The Council of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers approved both catch limits and fishing effort rules, with some measures extending to 2028. The deal covers major commercial stocks across the Atlantic, the North Sea, the Mediterranean, and the Black Sea, giving fishermen clearer guidance for the coming year.
Fishing effort combines vessel size, engine power, and days at sea. All 27 Member States reached a compromise that balances scientific recommendations with economic realities. Danish fisheries minister Jacob Jensen said the agreement provides certainty for fishermen in 2026 and supports the long-term sustainability of the sector.
Northern Waters See Mixed Quota Adjustments
The EU independently manages 24 total allowable catches in the Atlantic and North Sea. Quotas rose for certain species, including megrim, which increased by 12 percent south of the Bay of Biscay. Norway lobster quotas jumped 54 percent in the same area, reflecting healthier stock levels.
Other species faced reductions. Standard sole quotas dropped 45 percent in the Kattegat and Baltic Sea, horse mackerel fell 5 percent in Portuguese waters, pollack declined by 13 percent, and monkfish by 1 percent. Mackerel remains unresolved, with ministers setting provisional quotas for the first half of the year, cutting them by 70 percent while consultations continue among North-East Atlantic coastal states.
Southern Seas Maintain Steady Measures
In the Western Mediterranean, trawler fishing effort remains at 2025 levels. Limits for blue and red shrimp also stay unchanged to prevent additional pressure on sensitive stocks. In the Black Sea, turbot quotas decreased slightly compared with last year. Officials took a cautious approach to protect vulnerable populations while ensuring stable fishing conditions.
