EU fisheries ministers concluded two days of negotiations with a binding agreement on 2026 quotas. The Council of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers approved catch limits and fishing effort rules, with some provisions extending to 2028. The deal covers key commercial stocks in the Atlantic, the North Sea, the Mediterranean, and the Black Sea, offering the sector clearer guidance for planning and operations.
Fishing effort combines vessel size, engine power, and the number of days spent at sea. After prolonged discussions, all 27 Member States agreed on a compromise balancing scientific recommendations with economic needs. Danish fisheries minister Jacob Jensen stated that the deal provides fishermen certainty about their 2026 opportunities and supports long-term sustainability for the sector.
Northern seas experience varied quota adjustments
In the Atlantic and North Sea, the EU independently manages 24 total allowable catches. Regulators raised quotas for several species, including megrim, which increased by 12 percent south of the Bay of Biscay. Norway lobster quotas rose sharply by 54 percent in the same waters, reflecting improved stock health.
Other northern species faced reductions. Standard sole quotas fell by 45 percent in the Kattegat and Baltic, while horse mackerel allowances dropped by 5 percent in Portuguese waters. Pollack quotas declined by 13 percent, and monkfish fell by 1 percent. Ministers treated mackerel specially, setting provisional quotas for the first half of the year with a 70 percent reduction while consultations among North-East Atlantic coastal countries continue.
Southern waters maintain cautious balance
In the Western Mediterranean, authorities preserved trawler effort at 2025 levels. Limits for blue and red shrimp also remain unchanged to prevent additional stress on sensitive populations. In the Black Sea, managers slightly lowered turbot quotas compared with last year, reflecting a careful approach to stock management in the region.
