EU fisheries ministers have agreed on fishing opportunities for 2026 across the Atlantic, North Sea, Mediterranean and Black Sea, setting most quotas at sustainable levels but leaving significant tensions over pelagic stocks and the Mediterranean framework.
The deal was reached on 13 December after lengthy talks in Brussels.
Most Atlantic and North Sea quotas are set at sustainable levels
In the Atlantic and North Sea, ministers agreed on 24 EU-managed fishing opportunities for 2026, with some quotas fixed for two or more years to provide fleets with greater certainty.
Overall, 81% of quotas in the Atlantic and Skagerrak–Kattegat were set in line with scientific advice for maximum sustainable yield.
Several stocks saw higher quotas, including anchovy in Iberian waters, Norway lobster in the Cantabrian Sea and Bay of Biscay, and megrim in Iberian waters.
At the same time, ministers took a cautious approach in mixed fisheries, where healthy stocks are caught alongside weaker ones.
Cuts for weak stocks and deals with neighbours
Quotas were cut sharply for stocks in poor shape. These include pollack in the Bay of Biscay and Iberian waters, whiting in the Bay of Biscay, and sole in Skagerrak–Kattegat.
The aim is to rebuild stocks and protect long-term income for fishing businesses.
For shared stocks, many decisions were made earlier through talks with non-EU partners. The EU reached agreements with the UK, and with Norway and the UK together, covering more than 100 shared quotas.
Blue whiting and Atlanto-Scandian herring quotas follow deals made in coastal state talks and in NEAFC.
Mackerel dispute and Mediterranean concern
No full quota was agreed for mackerel. The EU set only a provisional quota for the first half of 2026, citing continued overfishing and poor cooperation from some non-EU countries.
In the Mediterranean, the Commission said it could not support the final compromise, arguing that it does not align with the long-term management plan.