EU fisheries ministers finalized two days of negotiations with an agreement on 2026 fishing quotas. The Council of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers approved both catch limits and fishing effort rules, some extending through 2028. The deal covers key commercial stocks across the Atlantic, North Sea, Mediterranean, and Black Sea, providing the sector with clearer guidance and planning certainty.
Fishing effort measures vessel size, engine power, and days spent at sea. After intensive discussions, all 27 Member States reached a compromise that balances scientific recommendations with economic needs. Danish fisheries minister Jacob Jensen said the agreement provides fishermen with certainty for 2026 and lays the foundation for a sustainable future in the sector.
Northern waters see quota increases and reductions
In the Atlantic and North Sea, the EU independently manages 24 total allowable catches. Regulators increased quotas for some species after positive stock assessments. Megrim quotas rose 12 percent in waters south of the Bay of Biscay. Norway lobster saw a 54 percent rise in the same area.
At the same time, several northern species face tighter restrictions. Standard sole quotas fell 45 percent in the Kattegat and Baltic. Horse mackerel dropped 5 percent in Portuguese waters. Pollack quotas decreased 13 percent, and monkfish by 1 percent. Ministers treated mackerel specially, imposing provisional quotas for the first half of the year with a 70 percent reduction, pending further talks among North-East Atlantic coastal states.
Southern seas maintain stability amid cautious adjustments
In the Western Mediterranean, policymakers kept trawler fishing effort at 2025 levels. Blue and red shrimp quotas remain unchanged to protect sensitive stocks. In the Black Sea, turbot quotas slightly decreased compared with last year. Officials adopted a careful approach to ensure sustainable management while limiting risks to vulnerable populations.
