Brussels The Council of the European Union has finalized 2026 fishing opportunities for the Baltic Sea, following scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and consultations with stakeholders. The agreement aims to support stock recovery, ensure sustainable fishing, and protect the livelihoods of coastal communities.
Key decisions and highlights:
- Cod and herring cuts: Due to continued poor stock status, Eastern Baltic cod and Western herring quotas remain at zero, with only limited bycatch allowances permitted under strict conditions.
- Sprat and plaice stability: Quotas for sprat and plaice remain stable, reflecting relatively healthy stock levels and ongoing monitoring.
- Gulf of Riga herring: A modest increase was approved, based on improved scientific assessments and local stock resilience.
- Salmon conservation: Measures to protect Baltic salmon continue, with restrictions on mixed-stock fishing and enhanced monitoring of river populations.
- Socioeconomic balance: Ministers emphasized the need to balance environmental sustainability with economic stability, especially for small-scale fishers and local processing industries.
- Scientific alignment: All quotas are based on ICES advice and aligned with the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), which mandates maximum sustainable yield (MSY) targets and ecosystem-based management.
- Next steps: The Commission will monitor implementation and support member states in enforcing control measures, data collection, and stakeholder engagement.
Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius stated, “This agreement reflects our commitment to science-based decisions and long-term recovery of the Baltic Sea.”
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