By Jesus Maturana with“RTVE”
Release date
The EU’s Council of Ministers of Agriculture and Fisheries has approved catch limits and fishing efforts until 2026 and possibly 2028. The agreement regulates the most important commercial resources of the Atlantic, North Sea, Mediterranean and Black Sea.
Fishing effort is a combination of vessel size, engine power, and number of days spent fishing. After two days of consultations, the 27 member countries reached a compromise that balances scientific recommendations with the economic viability of the field.
Denmark’s Fisheries Minister Jacob Jensen explained that the agreement “gives fishermen confidence about the possibilities of fishing in 2026” and aims to ensure “the best possible conditions for a sustainable fishing future.”
Changes in capacity by region
For the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, the EU voluntarily manages 24 Total Allowable Catches (TACs). This figure has increased for species such as the megrim, which has increased by 12% in waters south of the Bay of Biscay, and the Norwegian lobster, which has increased by 54% in the same area.
On the other hand, the permitted catch of standard flounder (down 45% in the Kattegat River and Baltic Sea), horse mackerel (down 5%), walleye pollock (down 13%) and monkfish (down 1%) in Portuguese waters has declined. Mackerel is a special case. Ministers set a provisional 70% cut in quotas for the first half of this year, pending the conclusion of talks between the North East Atlantic states.
In the Western Mediterranean, 2025 effort levels for trawlers will be maintained, as well as limits on blue and red shrimp. In the Black Sea, the number of flounder has decreased slightly compared to last year.