After two days of negotiations, EU fisheries ministers agreed on fishing quotas for 2026. The Council of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers approved catch limits and fishing effort, with some rules extending to 2028. The agreement covers major commercial fish stocks in the Atlantic, the North Sea, the Mediterranean, and the Black Sea. The framework gives the fishing sector clarity and stability for planning.
Fishing effort combines vessel size, engine power, and the number of days at sea. After extensive discussions, all 27 Member States reached a compromise. The deal balances scientific guidance with the economic needs of fishermen. Danish fisheries minister Jacob Jensen said the agreement provides certainty for 2026 and helps secure sustainable conditions for the sector’s future.
Northern waters see mixed quota adjustments
In the Atlantic and North Sea, the EU manages 24 total allowable catches independently. Regulators increased quotas for certain species after reviewing stock data. Megrim quotas rose by 12 percent in waters south of the Bay of Biscay. Norway lobster quotas increased sharply, by 54 percent in the same area.
Other northern species saw reductions. Standard sole quotas fell by 45 percent in the Kattegat and Baltic Sea. Horse mackerel quotas dropped by 5 percent in Portuguese waters. Pollack quotas declined by 13 percent and monkfish by 1 percent. Mackerel remains unresolved, with provisional quotas cutting catches by 70 percent for the first half of the year while consultations continue among North-East Atlantic coastal nations.
Southern seas prioritize continuity and caution
In the Western Mediterranean, authorities kept trawler fishing effort at 2025 levels. Limits for blue and red shrimp remained unchanged to avoid further pressure on sensitive stocks. In the Black Sea, turbot quotas decreased slightly compared with last year. Regulators took a careful approach, aiming to protect stocks while allowing sustainable fishing.
