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2026‑2028 Fishing Limits: Keeping Our Oceans Healthy
Published March 03, 2026
Goal: Sustain fish stocks
The European Commission’s new regulation updates fishing limits for several fish species in EU waters for 2026‑2028, using the latest science and partner talks to keep stocks healthy while not changing the EU budget.
Summary
The European Commission proposes a new Council Regulation that amends Regulation (EU) 2026/249. The amendment sets the fishing opportunities (catch limits and effort limits) for certain fish stocks for the years 2026, 2027 and 2028. It applies to EU waters and, for EU‑flagged vessels, to some non‑EU waters.
Key points
- Legal basis – Article 43(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
- Purpose – to update the quotas to reflect the latest scientific advice and the results of consultations with third‑country partners and regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs).
- Consistency – the measures are in line with the Common Fisheries Policy (Regulation 1380/2013), the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC) and other EU policies that aim to keep fish stocks at sustainable levels.
- No budget impact – the proposal does not change the EU budget.
Main changes to quotas and measures
| Fish stock | Main change | Year(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cod, haddock, whiting (Celtic Sea, Irish Sea) | Remedial measures start 1 June 2026 (UK and EU) | 2026 | UK internal procedures still pending for some stocks |
| Sole, plaice (Channel) | Remedial measures start 1 June 2026 (UK and EU) | 2026 | |
| Sandeel (North Sea, ICES subarea 4) | TAC set after ICES advice (published 27 Feb 2026) | 2026 | |
| Mackerel (North‑East Atlantic) | Provisional EU quota for first half of 2026 (90 % of ICES advice) | 2026 | Final quota to be set before 30 Jun 2026 |
| Herring (Skagerrak‑Kattegat, North Sea) | 250 t quota for Norway in EU waters | 2026 | Norway’s quota to be set under bilateral talks |
| Bluefin tuna (ICCAT, east of 45°W) | Fishing‑effort limits and farm input based on 2025 annual plan | 2026 | Plan to be approved by ICCAT |
| Albacore, bigeye tuna, swordfish (ICCAT) | Quotas and transfer rules updated | 2026 | |
| Toothfish (SPRFMO) | Precautionary TAC for research blocks A and B | 2026 | |
| Chub mackerel (NPFC) | TAC to be established for 1 Jun 2026‑31 May 2027 | 2026 | |
| Blue whiting (Norway, UK, EU) | TAC set under bilateral talks | 2026 | |
| Closure periods for IATTC purse‑seine vessels | Adjusted to match IATTC meetings 2021‑2025 | 2026 |
Other amendments
- Annexes IA, IB, ID, IH, IM and VI are updated to reflect the new quotas and measures.
- The regulation enters into force on the day it is published in the Official Journal and applies from 1 Jan 2026.
- The proposal is based on stakeholder consultations (advisory councils, annual communication COM(2025) 296) and scientific advice from ICES.
- The impact assessment confirms that the changes support long‑term sustainability and do not conflict with fundamental rights.
This regulation will adjust fishing opportunities for the listed species, ensuring that EU fisheries remain ecologically, economically and socially sustainable while respecting international agreements and scientific recommendations.
Licensing: The summaries on this page are available under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0).
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