EU fisheries ministers have reached a political agreement on fishing opportunities for 2026 across the Atlantic, North Sea, Mediterranean, and Black Sea.
The agreement sets Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and multiannual quotas to ensure sustainable fisheries, economic stability for EU fleets, and alignment with scientific advice.
Atlantic & North Sea: 81% of Opportunities at Sustainable Levels
In the North-East Atlantic, ministers agreed on 24 EU‑managed fishing opportunities for 2026, with some extending into 2027 and 2028 to increase predictability for the sector.
Key highlights include:
81% of Atlantic fishing opportunities are set at Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) levels.
Multiannual TACs introduced 9 stocks, responding to fishers’ requests for more long‑term stability.
Increases in TACs
Anchovy in Iberian waters: +60%
Megrim in Iberian waters: +11%
Norway lobster:
+23% in the Cantabrian Sea
+49% in the Bay of Biscay
Reductions for Ailing Stocks
To support rebuilding of vulnerable species, significant decreases were agreed:
Pollack: –13% (Bay of Biscay, Cantabrian Sea, Iberian waters)
Whiting: –27% (Bay of Biscay)
Sole: –44% (Skagerrak–Kattegat) and –9% (Iberian waters)
Balancing Ecology & Economy
This annual agreement remains central to the EU’s strategy to:
Support the long‑term sustainability of fish stocks
Provide predictability for fishing communities
Align resource use with scientific recommendations