The European Commission has released new guidelines to help EU countries give better support to small-scale fishers and make the allocation of fishing opportunities more transparent.
The move follows concerns that current national systems are not keeping pace with the challenges these fisheries face.
Small Boats Under Pressure
The Commission notes that many small coastal fishers struggle more than larger fleets. They face high energy costs, shifting fish stocks, climate impacts and competition for space at sea.
They are also exposed to threats from illegal and unreported fishing. Small-scale vessels make up nearly 75% of all EU fishing boats and almost half of all jobs in the sector, making them vital to coastal communities.
Push for Fairer and Clearer Allocation
The guidelines ask EU countries to reassess how they distribute their national fishing quotas. They include examples of good practice, mainly where methods help small and coastal fishers.
The Commission states that better transparency will strengthen trust, improve governance, and ensure that allocation systems remain suitable as conditions change.
A Tool for Better Governance
The new document encourages EU countries to use environmental, social and economic criteria when deciding who gets access to fishing opportunities.
It highlights that allocation rules can be used to reward selective and more sustainable fishing methods. The guidance follows work with scientists and national authorities to review how objective criteria are applied across the EU.
The initiative builds on the Commission’s promise in 2023 to develop a “vade-mecum” for improved transparency, which was reaffirmed in the European Ocean Pact adopted in June 2025. TACs and effort limits remain set at the EU level, but how they are shared within each country is decided nationally.