EU Council sets 2026 Baltic Sea catch limits and prepares ICCAT stance on tuna, balancing science, sustainability and fishing livelihoods
EU fisheries ministers have agreed on new catch limits for 2026 in the Baltic Sea, setting total allowable catches (TACs) and national quotas for key stocks including herring, sprat, cod, plaice, and salmon.
The political agreement, reached in Luxembourg, aims to balance sustainable management with the viability of fishing communities. The outcome broadly follows the scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES).
Jacob Jensen, Danish Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, said the deal represented a crucial balance between environmental protection and community survival. “Today’s agreement is about securing our shared future. With it we strike a balance between the need to ensure sustainable fishing stock, protect our marine ecosystems, and safeguard the long-term viability of our fishing communities,” he said.
The Baltic region continues to face severe pressures, including biodiversity loss, contamination, climate impacts, and the long-term effects of overfishing. Ministers emphasised that the 2026 agreement is designed to support recovery and ensure a viable future for the region’s fishing sector.
Sprat
Fishing opportunities for sprat will increase by 45%, reflecting stronger stock levels according to ICES advice.
Herring
Catch limits for central Baltic herring rise by 15%, with a three-month spawning closure to protect reproduction. In contrast, the Gulf of Riga TAC falls by 17%, and Western Baltic herring limits remain unchanged. The derogation for small-scale fisheries continues. Bothnian herring catches will be reduced by 40% due to critically low biomass levels, with a temporary TAC in place until 31 October 2025.
Salmon
Salmon quotas in the Gulf of Finland increase by 1%, while the Baltic main basin sees a 27% reduction. Existing restrictions on coastal summer fishing and recreational catches remain.
Cod
Eastern and Western Baltic cod stocks remain in poor condition. Ministers therefore maintained TACs for by-catches only, and upheld the prohibition on recreational cod fishing across the region.
Plaice
Catch limits for plaice will be reduced by 3% in line with the latest ICES scientific advice.
Norway Pout
Beyond the Baltic, ministers agreed on a 400-tonne by-catch limit for Norway pout in the North Sea, consistent with arrangements between the EU and the United Kingdom.
EU Prepares ICCAT Position Ahead of Key Tuna Talks
Ministers also discussed preparations for the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), which will take place in Sevilla from 17 to 24 November 2025.
The meeting will address critical issues such as the management of tropical and bluefin tuna stocks, shark conservation, and the strengthening of control measures. Ministers stressed the need for the EU to take a science-based, precautionary, and enforceable stance in the negotiations.
The Council provided strategic guidance for the European Commission ahead of the ICCAT meeting, highlighting the importance of sustainable tuna and shark management and the protection of highly migratory species vital to both the environment and the fishing economy.
Next Steps
The Council will formally adopt the Baltic and ICCAT-related decisions once the legal texts are finalised in all EU languages.
The agreement reflects the goals of the Common Fisheries Policy and the multiannual plan for Baltic stocks, and incorporates regional contributions from BALTFISH, currently chaired by Sweden. It marks another attempt to reconcile ecological recovery with the survival of Europe’s coastal fishing communities.
