Commission proposes 2026 Baltic Sea fishing opportunities, including major cuts for cod and herring, unchanged sprat TACs and salmon restrictions
The European Commission has proposed catch limits for 2026 in the Baltic Sea, warning that several key fisheries remain in serious decline.
The proposal covers ten stocks managed by the EU and includes sharp reductions for herring and cod, as well as adjusted limits for plaice, sprat and salmon.
The Commission has proposed an increase of 1 percent for salmon in the Gulf of Finland and to keep the total allowable catches (TACs) for central Baltic herring and sprat unchanged. For other species, however, the proposals point to further cuts.
These include a 62 percent reduction for Bothnian herring, 17 percent for herring in the Gulf of Riga, 3 percent for plaice, and 27 percent for salmon in the main basin. By-catch allowances for western Baltic cod (-84 percent), eastern Baltic cod (-63 percent) and western Baltic herring (-50 percent) are also set to be reduced.
Commission’s Reaction
Speaking after the announcement Costas Kadis, Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans said: “I am worried about the poor state of the Baltic Sea fish stocks and the impact that this has on local fishers. Too many fish stocks are close to collapsing and the ecosystem is worsening. We need to fully implement the EU legislation and take measures at all levels and in all policy areas or this situation will continue over the coming years. We must rebuild fish stocks and reinforce the ecosystem in the Baltic. This must be a joint effort.”
Cod Stocks Remain Critical
Eastern Baltic cod will continue to be subject only to unavoidable by-catches, with accompanying measures maintained. The Commission said the stock remains in poor condition despite restrictions introduced in 2019. Western Baltic cod will face the same restrictions, with TACs limited to by-catches only.
Herring Under Pressure
Western Baltic herring remains far below safe biological limits. The Commission is proposing to remove the exemption for small-scale coastal fisheries and to restrict catches to unavoidable by-catches only. Bothnian herring is at one of its lowest recorded levels, prompting a proposed 62 percent cut and a three-month spawning closure in shallow coastal waters. For central Baltic herring, where ICES has predicted positive recruitment but with high uncertainty, the Commission suggests keeping TACs unchanged while also applying a spawning closure. The Gulf of Riga herring stock remains healthy, with TACs set in line with maximum sustainable yield.
Other Species
Plaice will see a minor TAC cut of 3 percent, alongside new gear measures to reduce cod by-catches in flatfish fisheries. For sprat, which is at its lowest stock level since 1990, the Commission proposes no change in TACs but maintains a spawning closure.
For salmon, the Commission is recommending a 27 percent cut in the main basin, alongside additional restrictions including delayed fishing seasons in some areas and a ban on recreational fishing for reared salmon, due to its impact on wild stocks.
Next Steps
EU fisheries ministers are scheduled to decide on the final TACs at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting on 27–28 October 2025.
Background
The proposals are based on advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and are intended to align catches with maximum sustainable yield targets under the Common Fisheries Policy. They also follow the Baltic Sea Multiannual Plan adopted in 2016.
The Commission highlighted that the Baltic Sea remains the most polluted sea in Europe, suffering from biodiversity loss, climate change, eutrophication and high contaminant levels. It said the challenges are compounded by misreporting of catches and incomplete implementation of EU environmental laws.
The Commission noted that Member States can use the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund to support temporary cessation and the European Social Fund Plus to fund skills development. A third edition of the “Our Baltic” conference will take place in Stockholm on 30 September 2025, following previous meetings in 2020 and 2023.
Table: Overview of TAC changes 2025-2026 (figures in tones except for salmon, which is in number of pieces)
|
|
2025 |
2026 |
|
Stock and |
Council agreement (in tonnes & % change from 2023 TAC) |
Commission proposal |
|
Western Cod 22-24 |
266 (-22%) |
42 (-84%) |
|
Eastern Cod 25-32 |
430 (-28%) |
159 (-63%) |
|
Western Herring 22-24 |
788 (0%) |
394 (-50%) |
|
Bothnian Herring 30-31 |
66 446 (+21%) |
25 560 (-62%) |
|
Central Herring 25-27, 28.2, 29, 32 |
83 881 (+108%) |
83 881 (0%) |
|
Riga Herring 28.1 |
41 635 (+10%) |
34 367 (-17%) |
|
Sprat 22-32 |
139 500 (-31%) |
139 500 (0%) |
|
Plaice 22-32 |
11 313 (0%) |
10 973 (-3%) |
|
Main Basin Salmon 22-31 |
34 787 (-36%) |
25 487 (-27%) |
|
Gulf of Finland Salmon 32 |
10 144 (0%) |
10 232 (+1%) |
