| Dokumendiregister | Riigikogu |
| Viit | 1-2/26-316/1 |
| Registreeritud | 22.05.2026 |
| Sünkroonitud | 22.05.2026 |
| Liik | EL dokument |
| Funktsioon | |
| Sari | |
| Toimik | Ettepanek - COM(2026) 245 |
| Juurdepääsupiirang | Avalik |
| Adressaat | |
| Saabumis/saatmisviis | |
| Vastutaja | |
| Originaal | Ava uues aknas |
EN EN
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Brussels, 20.5.2026
COM(2026) 245 final
2026/0122 (NLE)
Proposal for a
COUNCIL REGULATION
amending Council Regulation (EU) 2026/249 fixing for 2026, 2027 and 2028 the fishing
opportunities for certain fish stocks, applicable in Union waters and, for Union fishing
vessels, in certain non-Union waters
EN 1 EN
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
1. CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL
• Reasons for and objectives of the proposal
Council Regulation (EU) 2026/2491 fixes for 2026, 2027 and 2028 the fishing opportunities
for certain fish stocks, applicable in EU waters and, for EU fishing vessels, in certain non-EU
waters. The proposal amends those fishing opportunities to take account of the publication of
scientific advice, outcomes of consultations with third countries and regional fisheries
management organisations (RFMOs) meetings, and other developments. Regulation (EU)
2026/249 has already been amended once for the same purpose2.
• Consistency with existing policy provisions in the policy area
The measures proposed are consistent with the objectives and rules set out in Regulation (EU)
No 1380/20133 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Common Fisheries
Policy (CFP) (‘Basic Regulation’), that are to be applied among others when establishing
fishing opportunities, i.e. catch and fishing effort limits. One of the objectives of the CFP is to
restore stocks to levels that can deliver the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and to maintain
them at those levels. The aim is to ensure that EU fisheries are ecologically as well as
economically and socially sustainable.
• Consistency with other Union policies
The proposed measures are consistent with other EU policies, in particular Directive
2008/56/EC4 of the European Parliament and of the Council (‘Marine Strategy Framework
Directive’) and aim to contribute to achieving good environmental status (GES) for descriptor
3 in particular, which requires all commercially exploited fish and shellfish to be within safe
biological limits.
2. LEGAL BASIS, SUBSIDIARITY AND PROPORTIONALITY
• Legal basis
The legal basis of the proposal is Article 43(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the
European Union (TFEU).
1 Council Regulation (EU) 2026/249 of 26 January 2026 fixing for 2026, 2027 and 2028 the fishing
opportunities for certain fish stocks, applicable in Union waters and, for Union fishing vessels, in
certain non-Union waters, and amending Regulation (EU) 2025/202 (OJ L, 2026/249, 30.1.2026, ELI:
http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2026/249/oj). 2 Council Regulation (EU) 2026/786 of 30 March 2026 amending Regulation (EU) 2026/249 fixing for
2026, 2027 and 2028 the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks, applicable in Union waters and,
for Union fishing vessels, in certain non-Union waters (OJ L, 2026/786 of 31.3.2026, ELI:
http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2026/786/oj). 3 Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on
the Common Fisheries Policy, amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1954/2003 and (EC) No
1224/2009 and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 2371/2002 and (EC) No 639/2004 and Council
Decision 2004/585/EC (OJ L 354, 28.12.2013, p. 22, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2013/1380/oj). 4 Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a
framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy
Framework Directive) (OJ L 164, 25.6.2008, p. 19, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2008/56/oj)
EN 2 EN
• Subsidiarity
The proposal falls under the exclusive EU competence as referred to in Article 3(1)(d) TFEU.
Therefore, the subsidiarity principle does not apply.
• Proportionality
The proposal allocates fishing opportunities to Member States in accordance with the
objectives and rules set out in the Basic Regulation as well as the outcome of multilateral or
bilateral consultations with non-EU countries, including in the context of RFMOs. As a result,
the fishing opportunities should be fixed on the basis of the best available scientific advice,
taking into account biological and socio-economic considerations in mixed fisheries where
possible.
Pursuant to Article 16(6) and (7) and Article 17 of the Basic Regulation, Member States are to
decide how the fishing opportunities available to them may be allocated to vessels flying their
flag in accordance with certain criteria set out in those Articles. Therefore, Member States
have the necessary margin of discretion when distributing the allocated quotas, in line with
their preferred social/economic model for using the fishing opportunities available to them.
• Choice of the instrument
Given that the proposal amends an existing regulation, the most appropriate legal instrument
is a regulation.
3. RESULTS OF EX POST EVALUATIONS, STAKEHOLDER
CONSULTATIONS AND IMPACT ASSESSMENTS
• Ex-post evaluations/fitness checks of existing legislation
Not applicable.
• Stakeholder consultations
The Commission has consulted stakeholders, in particular through the advisory councils, on
the basis of its annual communication entitled ‘Sustainable fishing in the EU: state of play
and orientations for 2026’ (COM(2025) 296 final)’.
The responses to that annual communication set out their views on the Commission’s
evaluation of the status of the resources and on the appropriate management response. The
Commission considered those responses when formulating the proposal.
• Collection and use of expertise
International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) expert groups and decision-
making bodies have developed a framework for ICES scientific advice. That framework is
based on the best available science and peer reviewed by independent experts. ICES scientific
advice is issued on the basis of that framework and with a view to allow the implementation
of the objectives and rules of the Basic Regulation, as requested by the Commission.
• Impact assessment
The scope of the proposal is circumscribed by Article 43(3) of the TFEU.
This proposal seeks to avoid short-term approaches in favour of long-term sustainability. It
takes account of initiatives by stakeholders and advisory councils if they have been positively
reviewed by ICES. The Commission’s CFP reform proposal was based on an impact
assessment (SEC(2011) 891) that considered that while achieving the MSY objective was a
EN 3 EN
necessary condition for environmental, economic and social sustainability, those three
objectives cannot be achieved in isolation.
As regards fishing opportunities for RFMOs stocks and for stocks jointly managed with non-
EU countries, this proposal essentially implements internationally agreed measures. Any
aspects that are relevant to assessing possible impacts of the fishing opportunities are dealt
with in the preparation and conduct of international negotiations in which the EU’s fishing
opportunities are agreed with non-EU countries.
• Regulatory fitness and simplification
Not applicable.
• Fundamental rights
The proposal complies with fundamental rights and in particular those recognised by the
Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
4. BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS
The proposed measures will have no budgetary implications.
OTHER ELEMENTS
• Detailed explanation of the specific provisions of the proposal
The proposal seeks to amend Regulation (EU) 2026/249 as described below.
Anchovy in Atlantic Iberian waters west
Regulation (EU) 2026/249 provisionally set at zero the TAC for anchovy (Engraulis
encrasicolus) in the western part of International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
(ICES) subarea 9 and in subarea 10 (western part of Atlantic Iberian waters and Azores
waters) for the period from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, pending the publication by ICES of
its scientific advice for anchovy in the western part of ICES division 9a (western Atlantic
Iberian waters) for that period.
ICES is expected to publish that advice on 19 June 2026. Pending the publication of the ICES
advice, in this proposal the relevant recital is provisionally included in square brackets, and
the TAC for anchovy in the western part of ICES subarea 9 and in subarea 10 for the period
from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027 is marked ‘pm’ (pro memoria). As soon as the ICES advice
becomes available, the Commission services will update the proposal by means of a non-
paper proposing a definitive TAC for that stock and period based on that advice. However, if
it appears that doing so would not allow Council to adopt the definitive TAC in time and
would consequently lead to a temporary interruption of this fishery as from 1 July 2026, the
Commission services will instead propose a provisional TAC for the period from 1 July to 30
September 2026.
Northern prawn in the Skagerrak-Kattegat and North Sea
Regulation (EU) 2026/249 provisionally set at zero the TAC for Northern prawn (Pandalus
borealis) in EU and Norwegian waters of ICES division 3a (Skagerrak-Kattegat) for the
period from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, pending publication by ICES of its scientific advice
for Northern prawn in ICES divisions 3a and 4a east (Skagerrak-Kattegat and northern North
Sea in the Norwegian deep).
EN 4 EN
In addition, that Regulation set the EU quota for Northern prawn in Norwegian waters of the
North Sea south of 62ºN for 2026 at the level agreed with Norway, at the level of 148 tonnes.
ICES is expected to publish its advice for Northern prawn in ICES divisions 3a and 4a east on
8 June 2026. Following the publication of that advice, the EU will hold bilateral consultations
with Norway on: (i) the level of the overall fishing opportunities for Northern prawn in ICES
divisions 3a and 4a east for the period from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027; (ii) the level of the
TAC for Northern prawn in ICES division 3a for that period; and (iii) an additional transfer
from Norway to the EU of fishing opportunities for Northern prawn in Norwegian waters of
the North Sea south of 62ºN for 2026, which, during bilateral consultations on the exchange
of quotas and access arrangements for 2026, the EU and Norway agreed to consider. If such
an additional transfer from Norway to the EU were agreed, it would be compensated with a
transfer from the EU to Norway of additional fishing opportunities for Northern prawn in
Greenland waters of ICES subareas 2, 5, 12 and 14 in 2026.
Pending the outcome of those bilateral consultations, in this proposal the text of the relevant
recital of Council Regulation (EU) 2025/13505 is provisionally included in square brackets,
and the TACs for Northern prawn: (i) in EU and Norwegian waters of ICES division 3a for
the period from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027; (ii) in Norwegian waters of the North Sea south
of 62ºN for 2026; and (iii) in Greenland waters of ICES subareas 2, 5, 12 and 14, are marked
‘pm’. As soon as the outcome of those bilateral consultations is known, the Commission
services will update the proposal by means of a non-paper proposing those TACs for those
periods and at the levels agreed with Norway.
Sprat in the North Sea and in the Skagerrak-Kattegat
Regulation (EU) 2026/249 provisionally set at zero the TACs for sprat (Sprattus sprattus) and
associated by-catches for the period from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027 in: (i) EU and United
Kingdom (UK) waters of ICES subarea 4 and division 2a (North Sea); and (ii) EU and
Norwegian waters of ICES division 3a (Skagerrak-Kattegat), pending publication by ICES of
its scientific advice for sprat in ICES subarea 4 and division 3a for the period from 1 July
2026 to 30 June 2027.
ICES published that advice on 30 April 2026. Following the publication of that ICES advice,
the EU will hold trilateral consultations with the UK and Norway on: (i) the level of the
overall fishing opportunities for that stock for the period from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027;
and (ii) the level of the TACs for sprat respectively in ICES subarea 4 and division 2a and in
division 3a for that period.
Pending the outcome of those trilateral consultations, in this proposal the text of the relevant
recital of Regulation (EU) 2025/1350 is provisionally included in square brackets, and the
TACs for sprat and associated by-catches for the period from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027 in:
(i) EU and UK waters of ICES subarea 4 and division 2a; and (ii) EU and Norwegian waters
of ICES division 3a, are marked ‘pm’. As soon as the outcome of those trilateral consultations
is known, the Commission services will update the proposal by means of a non-paper
proposing those TACs for that period at the levels agreed with the UK and Norway.
5 Council Regulation (EU) 2025/1350 of 8 July 2025 amending Regulation (EU) 2025/202 fixing for
2025 and 2026 the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks, applicable in Union waters and, for
Union fishing vessels, in certain non-Union waters (OJ L, 2025/1350, 10.7.2025, ELI:
http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/1350/oj).
EN 5 EN
Sprat in the English Channel
Regulation (EU) 2026/249 provisionally set at zero the TAC for sprat in EU and UK waters of
ICES divisions 7d and 7e (Channel) for the period from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, pending
publication by ICES of its scientific advice for sprat in that area for that period.
ICES published that advice on 30 April 2026. Following the publication of that ICES advice,
the EU will hold bilateral consultations with the UK on the level of the TAC for that stock for
the period from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, pursuant to Articles 498(2), (4) and (6) of the
Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic
Energy Community, of the one part, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland, of the other part6 (‘Trade and Cooperation Agreement’).
Pending the outcome of those bilateral consultations, in this proposal the text of the relevant
recital of Regulation (EU) 2025/1350 is provisionally included in square brackets, and the
TAC for sprat in ICES divisions 7d and 7e for the period from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027 is
marked ‘pm’. As soon as the outcome of those bilateral consultations is known, the
Commission services will update the proposal by means of a non-paper proposing that TAC
for that period at the level agreed with the UK.
Capelin in Greenland waters
Following the publication of the latest scientific advice for capelin (Mallotus villosus) in the
Iceland-East Greenland-Jan Mayen area in January 2026, Greenland and Iceland set a TAC
and their respective quotas for that stock for the period from 15 October 2025 to 15 April
2026. In accordance with Article 2(1) of the Protocol on the implementation of the
Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the EU, of the one part, and the
Government of Greenland and the Government of Denmark, of the other part7, Greenland
offered fishing opportunities for that stock and that period of 5 545 tonnes, which the EU
accepted on 5 February 2026. Therefore, Regulation (EU) 2026/249, as amended by Council
Regulation (EU) 2026/7868, set the EU and Member States quotas for capelin in Greenland
waters of ICES subareas 2, 5, 12 and 14 for the period from 15 October 2025 to 15 April 2026
at the level agreed with Greenland.
However, Greenland subsequently requested confirmation from the EU that it had the
intention to use those fishing opportunities, as otherwise they could be used by the
Greenlandic fleet to ensure the best utilisation of the quota. Based on the absence of interest
of its fishing industry, the EU offered Greenland to recover those fishing opportunities.
Therefore, the EU and Member States quotas for capelin in Greenland’s waters of ICES
subareas 2, 5, 12 and 14 for the period from 15 October 2025 to 15 April 2026 should be
reduced to zero accordingly.
6 Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy
Community, of the one part, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the
other part (OJ L 149, 30.4.2021, p. 10, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_internation/2021/689(1)/oj). 7 Protocol on the implementation of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the
European Union, of the one part, and the Government of Greenland and the Government of Denmark,
of the other part (2025–2030) OJ L, 2024/3203, 30.12.2024, ELI:
http://data.europa.eu/eli/prot/2024/3203/oj). 8 Council Regulation (EU) 2026/786 of 30 March 2026 amending Regulation (EU) 2026/249 fixing for
2026, 2027 and 2028 the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks, applicable in Union waters and,
for Union fishing vessels, in certain non-Union waters (OJ L, 2026/786, 31.3.2026, ELI:
http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2026/786/oj),
EN 6 EN
Cod in Greenland waters
In accordance with Article 11 of that Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between
the EU and Greenland9, and in line with the conditions set out in Article 6 and Chapter VI of
the Protocol to that Agreement, the EU and Greenland agreed to conduct an experimental
fishery for cod (Gadus morhua) in Greenland waters of ICES subareas 5 and 14, north-east of
42°W for the period from 12 February 2026 to 31 December 2026. The aim of the
experimental fishery is to determine the potential occurrence and distribution of cod in that
area. Fishing opportunities of 3 000 tonnes have been set for that experimental fishery, from
which 900 tonnes have been allocated to the EU. Those fishing opportunities may only be
fished by vessels engaged in the framework of that experimental fishery and conducting
scientific sampling. That scientific sampling will have to be carried under conditions to be
determined by the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources. It is proposed to set that EU
quota as agreed with Greenland.
Pending an agreement between Member States on the allocation key for that stock, it is
proposed to provisionally not allocate the EU quota to Member States and allowing all
Member States to fish the EU quota until it is fully utilised.
NAFO northern cod
Regulation (EU) 2026/249 provisionally set at zero the TAC and EU quota for cod in
Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO) divisions 2J, 3K and 3L (cod in divisions
‘2J3KL’, ‘NAFO Northern cod’) for the period from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, pending
NAFO’s decision to establish that TAC.
In June 2026, Canada is expected to publish its scientific advice for cod in divisions 2J3KL
for the period from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027. Following the publication of that advice,
Canada is expected to establish for its fishing vessels a catch limit for cod in NAFO divisions
2J3KL for the period from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027. In accordance with its rules, NAFO is
to establish for that stock and for that period a TAC and an allocation to other NAFO
Contracting Parties, including an EU quota, to be fished in the NAFO Regulatory Area. That
TAC and that allocation are to be established at a level such that the catch limit established by
Canada corresponds to 95% of the TAC and the allocation to other NAFO Contracting Parties
corresponds to 5% of the TAC.
Pending NAFO’s decision to establish such a TAC, an allocation to other NAFO Contracting
Parties and any recovery measures for that stock, in this proposal the text of the relevant
recital of Regulation (EU) 2025/1350 is provisionally included in square brackets and the
TAC for cod in NAFO division 2J3KL for the period from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027 is
marked ‘pm’. As soon as the decision by NAFO is known, the Commission services will
update the proposal by means of a non-paper proposing the TAC and possible recovery
measures for that period in line with that decision by NAFO.
ICCAT
9 Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union, of the one part, and the
Government of Greenland and the Government of Denmark, of the other part (OJ L 175, 18.5.2021, p.
3, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_internation/2021/793/oj).
EN 7 EN
Following the adoption of ICCAT Recommendation 25-04 establishing a multiannual
management plan for bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean10 at the 29th
annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
(ICCAT) in November 2025, a Commission Delegated Regulation was adopted on 4 March
2026 pursuant to Article 66(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2023/205311 of the European Parliament
and of the Council, amending Article 8(2) thereof with a view to the incorporation of the
recommendation into EU law. That delegated regulation is expected to enter into force on 14
May 2026. Consequently, Member States may now request to transfer a maximum 20%,
instead of 5% previously, of their annual quota of bluefin tuna in the ICCAT Convention area
east of 45°W from the preceding year to a given year. Where Member States make such a
request, they are required to submit this request to the Commission in their annual fishing
plan. For 2026, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Malta and Portugal requested
such transfers from 2025. Based on those requests, the Commission submitted a revised EU
annual plan to the ICCAT Secretariat, pursuant to Article 11(5) of Regulation (EU)
2023/2053. Therefore, it is proposed to amend accordingly the quotas of those Member States
for bluefin tuna in the ICCAT Convention area east of 45°W for 2026. The Commission
services will update the proposal by means of a non-paper specifying the reference and date of
entry into force of the delegated regulation adopted on 4 March 2026.
In accordance with Article 17b of Regulation (EU) 2017/210712 of the European Parliament
and of the Council, Regulation (EU) 2026/249, as amended by Regulation (EU) 2026/786,
transferred from 2024 to 2026 annual quotas for certain Member States for albacore (Thunnus
alalunga) in the ICCAT Convention area north of 5°N. The quotas of those Member States
for that stock for 2026 were amended accordingly by Council Regulation (EU) 2026/786.
However, the UK quota for that stock for 2026 was not amended to take into account such
transfers and should therefore be amended accordingly.
NPFC
Regulation (EU) 2026/249, as amended by Regulation (EU) 2026/786, provisionally marked
‘to be established’ the catch limits available to the Member States which are Contracting
Parties to the North Pacific Fisheries Commission (NPFC) for trawlers and purse seiners
respectively and the additional EU quota for chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) in the NPFC
Convention area for the period from 1 June 2026 to 31 May 2027, as well as the associated
effort limits.
At its annual meeting in April 2026, the NPFC established those catch limits for the period
from 1 June 2026 to 31 December 2026, aligning the fishing period to the calendar year. It
10 Recommendation 25-04 by ICCAT replacing Recommendation 24-05 establishing a multiannual
management plan for bluefin tuna in the Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean,
https://www.iccat.int/Documents/Recs/compendiopdf-e/2025-04-e.pdf. 11 Regulation (EU) 2023/2053 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 September 2023
establishing a multiannual management plan for bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and the
Mediterranean, amending Regulations (EC) No 1936/2001, (EU) 2017/2107, and (EU) 2019/833 and
repealing Regulation (EU) 2016/1627 (OJ L 238, 27.9.2023, p. 1, ELI:
http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/2053/oj). 12 Regulation (EU) 2017/2107 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 November 2017
laying down management, conservation and control measures applicable in the Convention area of the
International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), and amending Council
Regulations (EC) No 1936/2001, (EC) No 1984/2003 and (EC) No 520/2007 (OJ L 315, 30.11.2017, p.
1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2017/2107/oj).
EN 8 EN
also added blue mackerel (Scomber australasicus), which is harvested together with chub
mackerel, to those catch limits.
EN 9 EN
2026/0122 (NLE)
Proposal for a
COUNCIL REGULATION
amending Council Regulation (EU) 2026/249 fixing for 2026, 2027 and 2028 the fishing
opportunities for certain fish stocks, applicable in Union waters and, for Union fishing
vessels, in certain non-Union waters
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular
Article 43(3) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Whereas:
(1) Council Regulation (EU) 2026/2491 fixes for 2026, 2027 and 2028 the fishing
opportunities for certain fish stocks, applicable in Union waters and, for Union fishing
vessels, in certain non-Union waters. Those fishing opportunities, including certain
measures functionally linked thereto, should be amended to take into account the
publication of scientific advice, the outcomes of consultations with third countries and
regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs) meetings and other
developments.
(2) [The recital and the relevant provisions will be updated after the publication of the
ICES advice, or if appears that such an update would not allow Council to adopt the
definitive TAC in time and would consequently lead to a temporary interruption of this
fishery as from 1 July 2026.] [EITHER] [On 19 June 2026, the International Council
for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) published its scientific advice for anchovy
(Engraulis encrasicolus) in the western part of ICES division 9a for the period from 1
July 2026 to 30 June 2027. Following the publication by ICES of that advice, the total
allowable catches (TAC) for anchovy in the western part of ICES subarea 9 and
subarea 10 for the period from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027 should be set at the level
advised by ICES.] [OR] [Regulation (EU) 2026/249 provisionally set at zero the total
allowable catches (TAC) for anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) in the western part of
International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) subarea 9 and in subarea
10 for the period from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, pending the publication by ICES
of its scientific advice for anchovy in the western part of ICES division 9a for that
period. To allow fishing to continue until the definitive TAC for that stock for the
relevant period is set, a provisional TAC for the period from 1 July 2026 to 30
September 2026 should be set at a level corresponding to [X].]
(3) [The recital and the relevant provisions will be updated after the conclusion of
consultations between the Union and Norway.] [On 23 June 2025, the Union and
1 Council Regulation (EU) 2026/249 of 26 January 2026 fixing for 2026, 2027 and 2028 the fishing
opportunities for certain fish stocks, applicable in Union waters and, for Union fishing vessels, in
certain non-Union waters, and amending Regulation (EU) 2025/202 (OJ L, 2026/249, 30.1.2026, ELI:
http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2026/249/oj).
EN 10 EN
Norway concluded consultations on: (i) the level of the overall fishing opportunities
for Northern prawn (Pandalus borealis) in ICES divisions 3a and 4a east for the
period from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026; (ii) the level of the TAC for Northern prawn
in ICES division 3a; and (iii) additional technical measures for that stock. The Union
participated in those consultations on the basis of the Union position endorsed by the
Council on 12 June 2025. The outcome of those consultations was documented in an
Agreed Record signed on 23 June 2025. The TAC for Northern prawn in ICES
division 3a should therefore be set at the level agreed with Norway, and the additional
technical measures agreed with Norway should be established. During those
consultations, the Union and Norway considered exchanges of Northern prawn in
Norwegian waters of the North Sea south of 62o N from Norway to the Union.
However, as no agreement could be reached on additional transfers of Northern prawn
in the North Sea, the unallocated fishing opportunities for Northern prawn in
Greenland waters of ICES subareas 5 and 14 should be allocated to Member States.
The Member States’ quotas for Northern prawn in Greenland waters of ICES subareas
5 and 14 should therefore be amended accordingly.]
(4) [The recital and the relevant provisions will be updated after the conclusion of
consultations between the Union, United Kingdom and Norway.] [On 21 May 2025,
the Union, the United Kingdom and Norway held consultations on: (i) the level of the
overall fishing opportunities for sprat (Sprattus sprattus) in ICES subarea 4 and
division 3a for the period from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026; and (ii) the levels of the
TACs for sprat in Union and United Kingdom waters of ICES subarea 4 and division
2a and in Union and Norwegian waters of ICES division 3a for that period. The Union
participated in those consultations on the basis of the Union position endorsed by the
Council on 12 May 2025. The outcome of those consultations was documented in an
Agreed Record signed on 21 May 2025. The relevant TACs should therefore be set at
the levels agreed with the United Kingdom and Norway.]
(5) [The recital and the relevant provisions will be updated after the conclusion of
consultations between the Union and the United Kingdom.] [On 12 May 2025, the
Union and the United Kingdom conducted bilateral consultations pursuant to Article
498(2), (4) and (6) of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European
Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the other part2, on the level of the
TAC for sprat in ICES divisions 7d and 7e for the period from 1 July 2025 to 30 June
2026. The Union participated in those consultations on the basis of the Union position
endorsed by the Council on 8 May 2025. The outcome of those consultations was
documented in a Written Record signed on 22 May 2025. The TAC or sprat in ICES
divisions 7d and 7e for the period from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026 should therefore
be set at the level agreed with the United Kingdom]
(6) Regulation (EU) 2026/249, as amended by Council Regulation (EU) 2026/7863, set
the Union and Member States quotas for capelin (Mallotus villosus) in Greenland
2 Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy
Community, of the one part, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the
other part (OJ L 149, 30.4.2021, p. 10, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_internation/2021/689(1)/oj). 3 Council Regulation (EU) 2026/786 of 30 March 2026 amending Regulation (EU) 2026/249 fixing for
2026, 2027 and 2028 the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks, applicable in Union waters and,
for Union fishing vessels, in certain non-Union waters (OJ L, 2026/786, 31.3.2026, ELI:
http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2026/786/oj),
EN 11 EN
waters of ICES subareas 2, 5, 12 and 14 for the period from 15 October 2025 to 15
April 2026 at the level agreed with Greenland, in accordance with Article 2(1) of the
Protocol on the implementation of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement
between the European Union, of the one part, and the Government of Greenland and
the Government of Denmark, of the other part4. However, subsequently based on the
absence of interest of the Union fishing industry, the Union offered Greenland to
recover those fishing opportunities. Therefore, the Union and Member States quotas
for capelin in Greenland’s waters of ICES subareas 2, 5, 12 and 14 for the period from
15 October 2025 to 15 April 2026 should be reduced to zero accordingly.
(7) In accordance with Article 11 of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement
between the Union and Greenland5, and in line with the conditions set out in Article 6
and Chapter VI of the Protocol to that Agreement, the Union and Greenland agreed to
conduct an experimental fishery for cod (Gadus morhua) in Greenland waters of ICES
subareas 5 and 14, north-east of 42°W for the period from 12 February 2026 to 31
December 2026. Fishing opportunities of 3 000 tonnes have been set for that
experimental fishery, from which 900 tonnes have been allocated to the Union. That
Union quota should be set as agreed with Greenland. Pending an agreement between
Member States on the allocation key for that stock, provisionally the Union quota
should not be allocated, allowing all Member States to fish the Union quota until that
is fully utilised.
(8) [The recital and the relevant provisions will be updated after the decision by NAFO.]
[On 18 June 2025, Canada adopted a catch limit for its vessels fishing for cod in
Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO) divisions 2J, 3K and 3L for the
period from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026. Subsequently, on 23 June 2025, NAFO
adopted a TAC for that stock and that period, and an allocation to other NAFO
Contracting Parties corresponding to 5 % of the TAC, including a Union quota, to be
fished in the NAFO Regulatory Area. In addition, NAFO maintained the recovery
measures for that stock for that period. Those measures should be implemented in
Union law.]
(9) [The recital will be updated after the delegated regulation referred to therein enters
into force.]Following the adoption of ICCAT Recommendation 25-04 establishing a
multiannual management plan for bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and the
Mediterranean6 at the 29th annual meeting of the International Commission for the
Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) in November 2025, a Commission Delegated
Regulation was adopted on 4 March 2026 pursuant to Article 66(1)(a) of Regulation
(EU) 2023/20537 of the European Parliament and of the Council, amending Article
4 Protocol on the implementation of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the
European Union, of the one part, and the Government of Greenland and the Government of Denmark,
of the other part (2025–2030) OJ L, 2024/3203, 30.12.2024, ELI:
http://data.europa.eu/eli/prot/2024/3203/oj
5 Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union, of the one part, and the
Government of Greenland and the Government of Denmark, of the other part (OJ L 175, 18.5.2021, p.
3, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_internation/2021/793/oj). 6 Recommendation 25-04 by ICCAT replacing Recommendation 24-05 establishing a multiannual
management plan for bluefin tuna in the Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean,
https://www.iccat.int/Documents/Recs/compendiopdf-e/2025-04-e.pdf. 7 Regulation (EU) 2023/2053 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 September 2023
establishing a multiannual management plan for bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and the
Mediterranean, amending Regulations (EC) No 1936/2001, (EU) 2017/2107, and (EU) 2019/833 and
EN 12 EN
8(2) thereof with a view to the incorporation of this recommendation into Union law.
That delegated regulation is expected to enter into force on 14 May 2026. As a
consequence, Member States may now request to transfer a maximum 20% of their
annual quota of bluefin tuna in the ICCAT Convention area east of 45°W from the
preceding year to a given year. For 2026, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy,
Cyprus, Malta and Portugal requested such transfers from 2025. Based on those
requests, the Commission submitted a revised Union annual plan to the ICCAT
Secretariat, pursuant to Article 11(5) of Regulation (EU) 2023/2053. Therefore, the
quotas of those Member States for bluefin tuna in the ICCAT Convention area east of
45°W for 2026 should be amended accordingly.
(10) At its annual meeting in April 2026, the North Pacific Fisheries Commission (NPFC)
established catch limits for chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) and blue mackerel
(Scomber australasicus) available to all NPFC Contracting Parties for trawlers and
purse seiners respectively for the period from 1 June 2026 to 31 December 2026. In
addition, the NPFC established an additional amount of those stocks for the Union for
that same period. It also established associated effort limits. Moreover, the NPFC
established measures functionally linked to those catch limits and to that additional
amount, without which: (i) those catch limits for all NPFC Contracting Parties could
not have been established; and (ii) the fishing opportunities for chub mackerel and
blue mackerel in the NPFC Convention area would have to be reduced to protect the
non-target species. Those fishing opportunities and functionally linked measures
should be implemented in Union law.
(11) Regulation (EU) 2026/249 should therefore be amended accordingly.
(12) In order to maintain the reporting periods for the TACs amended by this Regulation,
and given that some of those TACs apply from 1 January 2026, the amended TACs
should apply retroactively from that date. Such retroactive application does not affect
the principles of legal certainty and protection of legitimate expectations, as the TACs
concerned are maintained or increased.
(13) Given the urgency of avoiding interruptions to fishing activities, this Regulation
should enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the
European Union,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Article 1
Amendment of Regulation (EU) 2026/249
Annex IA, Parts A and B, Annexes IB, IC, ID and IM to Regulation (EU) 2026/249 are
amended in accordance with the Annex to this Regulation.
Article 2
Entry into force and application
This Regulation shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of
the European Union.
It shall apply from 1 January 2026.
repealing Regulation (EU) 2016/1627 (OJ L 238, 27.9.2023, p. 1, ELI:
http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/2053/oj).
EN 13 EN
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at Brussels,
For the Council
The President
EN EN
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Brussels, 20.5.2026
COM(2026) 245 final
ANNEX
ANNEX
to the
Proposal for a
COUNCIL REGULATION
amending Council Regulation (EU) 2026/249 fixing for 2026, 2027 and 2028 the fishing
opportunities for certain fish stocks, applicable in Union waters and, for Union fishing
vessels, in certain non-Union waters
EN 1 EN
ANNEX
Amendments to Regulation (EU) 2026/249
(1) Annex IA is amended as follows:
(a) In Part A, Table 2(1) is replaced by the following:
“
Table 2(1)
Species: Anchovy Zone: 9W(1) and 10
Engraulis encrasicolus (ANE/9WX10)
Spain pm (2) Analytical TAC
Portugal pm (2)
Union pm (2)
TAC pm (2)
(1) Part of subarea 9 west of the line connecting the following points:
Point Latitude Longitude
1 36°00'00"N 11°00'00"W
2 37°01'20"N 8°59'47"W
(2) This quota may be fished only from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.
”
(b) In Part B, Table 77 is replaced by the following:
“
Table 77
Species: Northern prawn Zone: 3a
Pandalus borealis (PRA/03A.)
Denmark pm (1) Analytical TAC
Sweden pm (1) Article 3(2) and (3) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not
apply.
Union pm (1) Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply.
TAC pm (1)
(1) This quota may only be fished from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.
”
(c) In Part B, Table 79 is replaced by the following:
“
EN 2 EN
Table 79
Species: Northern prawn Zone: Norwegian waters south of 62ºN
Pandalus borealis (PRA/4N-S62)
Denmark pm Analytical TAC
Sweden 123 (1) Article 3(2) and (3) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not
apply.
Union pm Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply.
TAC Not relevant
(1) By-catches of cod, haddock, pollack, whiting and saithe are to be counted against the quotas for these species.
”
(d) In Part B, Tables 113 and 114 are replaced by the following:
“
Table 113
Species: Sprat and associated by-catches Zone: 3a
Sprattus sprattus (SPR/03A.)
Denmark pm (1)(2)(3) Analytical TAC
Germany pm (1)(2)(3)
Sweden pm (1)(2)(3)
Union pm (1)(2)(3)
TAC pm (2)
(1) Up to 5 % of the quota may consist of by-catches of whiting and haddock (OTH/*03A.). By-catches of
whiting and haddock counted against the quota pursuant to this provision and by-catches of species
counted against the quota pursuant to Article 15(8) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 shall, together, not
exceed 9 % of the quota.
(2) This quota shall apply from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.
(3) Transfers of this quota may be effected to United Kingdom and Union waters of 2a and 4. However, such
transfers shall be notified in advance to the Commission and to the United Kingdom.
”
“
Table 114
Species: Sprat and associated by-catches Zone: United Kingdom and Union waters of
4; United Kingdom waters of 2a
Sprattus sprattus (SPR/2AC4-C)
Belgium pm (1)(2) Analytical TAC
Denmark pm (1)(2) Article 3(2) and (3) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not
apply.
Germany pm (1)(2) Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply.
France pm (1)(2)
Netherlands pm (1)(2)
Sweden pm (1)(2)(3)
EN 3 EN
Union pm (1)(2)
Norway pm (1)
Faroe Islands pm (1)(4)
United Kingdom pm (1)
TAC pm (1)
(1) The quota shall apply from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.
(2) Up to 2 % of the quota may consist of by-catches of whiting (OTH/*2AC4C). By-catches of whiting
counted against the quota pursuant to this provision and by-catches of species counted against the quota
pursuant to Article 15(8) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 shall, together, not exceed 9 % of the quota.
(3) Including sandeels.
(4) May contain up to 4 % of by-catch of herring.
”
(e) In Part B, Table 115 is replaced by the following:
“
Table 115
Species: Sprat Zone: 7d and 7e
Sprattus sprattus (SPR/7DE.)
Belgium pm (1) Analytical TAC
Denmark pm (1)
Germany pm (1)
France pm (1)
Netherlands pm (1)
Union pm (1)
United Kingdom pm (1)
TAC pm (1)
(1) The quota shall apply from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.
”
(2) Annex IB is amended as follows:
(a) Table 3 is replaced by the following and Table 3(1) is inserted:
“
Table 3
Species: Cod
Zone: Greenland waters of 2 and 12; Greenland waters
of 5 and 14, south-west of 42°W
Gadus morhua (COD/GL251214)
Germany 2 050 (1) Analytical TAC
Article 3(2) and (3) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not
apply
Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
Union 2 050 (1)
TAC Not relevant
(1) May not be fished from 1 March to 31 May within the ‘Kleine Bank management area’ bounded by the lines
EN 4 EN
joining the following coordinates:
Point Latitude Longitude
1 65°00ʹN 38°00ʹW
2 65°00ʹN 35°15ʹW
3 64°00ʹN 35°15ʹW
4 64°00ʹN 38°00ʹW
”
“
Table 3(1)
Species: Cod
Zone: Greenland waters of 5 and 14, north-east of
42°W
Gadus morhua (COD/GL51442)
Union 900 (1) Analytical TAC
Article 3(2) and (3) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not
apply
Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
TAC Not relevant (1)
(1)
May only be fished by vessels in the framework of the experimental fishery and conducting scientific
sampling. That scientific sampling shall be carried under conditions to be determined by the Greenland
Institute of Natural Resources.
”
(b) Table 9 is replaced by the following:
“
Table 9
Species: Capelin
Zone: Greenland waters of 2, 5, 12 and 14
Mallotus villosus (CAP/GL251214)
Year 2026 2027
Denmark 0 (2) 0 (3) Analytical TAC
Article 3(2) and (3) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
Germany 0 (2) 0 (3)
Sweden 0 (2) 0 (3)
All Member
States 0 (1)(2) 0 (1)(3)
Union 0 (2) 0 (3)
Norway 0 (2) 0 (3)
TAC Not relevant (2) Not
relevant (3)
(1) Denmark, Germany and Sweden may access the ‘All Member States’ quota only once they have exhausted their
own quota. However, Member States with more than 10 % of the Union quota shall not access the ‘All Member
States’ quota at all. Catches to be counted against this shared quota shall be reported separately
(CAP/GL251214_AMS).
(2) This quota shall apply from 15 October 2025 to 15 April 2026.
(3) This quota shall apply from 15 October 2026 to 15 April 2027.
EN 5 EN
”
(c) Table 13 is replaced by the following:
“
Table 13
Species: Northern prawn Zone: Greenland waters of 2, 5, 12 and 14
Pandalus borealis (PRA/GL251214)
Denmark pm Analytical TAC
France pm Article 3(2) and (3) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not
apply.
Union pm Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply.
Norway pm
Faroe Islands 0
TAC Not relevant
”
(3) In Annex IC, Table 1 is replaced by the following:
“
Table 1
Species: Cod Zone: NAFO 2J3KL
Gadus morhua (COD/N2J3KL)
Bulgaria pm (1)(2) Analytical TAC
Germany pm (1)(2) Article 3(2) and (3) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not
apply.
Estonia pm (1)(2) Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply.
Spain pm (1)(2)
France pm (1)(2)
Latvia pm (1)(2)
Lithuania pm (1)(2)
Poland pm (1)(2)
Portugal pm (1)(2)
Romania pm (1)(2)
Union pm (1)(2)
TAC pm (1)(2)
(1) This quota shall apply from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.
(2) No directed fisheries are permitted under this quota between 00:00 UTC 15 April 2027 and 23:59 UTC 30 June
2027. During this period, this species shall only be taken as by-catch within the following limits: a maximum of
1 250 kg or 5 %, whichever is greater.
”
(4) Annex ID is amended as follows:
EN 6 EN
(a) Table 7 is replaced by the following:
“
Table 7
Species: Northern Albacore Zone: ICCAT Convention area, north of 5°N, excluding
Mediterranean
Thunnus alalunga (ALB/ICAN05NXM)
Ireland 4 959,40 Analytical TAC
Spain 27 953,00 Article 3(2) and (3) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not
apply
France 8 791,67 Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
Portugal 3 065,81
Union 44 769,88 (1)(2)
United
Kingdom 741 (3)
TAC 47 251,00
(1) The number of Union fishing vessels fishing for Northern albacore as a target species shall be: 1 241. (2) Special condition: Within the limit of this quota, no more than the following quantities may be taken in
United Kingdom waters (ALB/*ICAN05NXM-UK):
Ireland 62,03
Spain 349,65
France 109,97
Portugal 38,35
Union 560,00
(3) Special condition: Within the limit of this quota, no more than the following quantities may be taken in
Union waters (ALB/*ICAN05NXM-EU): 560,00
”
(b) Table 12(1) is replaced by the following:
“
Table 12
Species: Bluefin tuna Zone: ICCAT Convention area, east of 45°W
Thunnus thynnus (BFT/ICAE45W)
Cyprus 240,16 (4) Analytical TAC
Greece 480,79 Article 3(2) and (3) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not
apply
Spain 8 352,55 (2)(4) Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
France 8 067,21 (2)(3)(4)
Croatia 1 353,64 (6)
Italy 6 534,98 (4)(5)
Malta 517,31 (4)
Portugal 858,28
Others 104,03 (1)
Union 26 508,95 (2)(3)(4)(5)(
6)
TAC 48 403,00 (1)
(1) Except Cyprus, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Malta and Portugal, and exclusively as by-catch.
EN 7 EN
Catches to be counted against this shared quota shall be reported separately (BFT/ICAE45W_AMS).
(2) Special condition: within this TAC, the following catch limits and allocation between Member States shall
apply to catches of bluefin tuna between 8 kg/75 cm and 30 kg/115 cm by the vessels referred to in point
1 of Annex VI (BFT/*E45W8301):
Spain 1 267,03
France 588,60
Union 1 855,63
(3) Special condition: within this TAC, the following catch limits and allocation between Member States shall
apply to catches of bluefin tuna weighing no less than 6,4 kg or measuring no less than 70 cm by the
vessels referred to in point 1 of Annex VI (BFT/*E45W641):
France 100,00
Union 100,00
(4) Special condition: within this TAC, the following catch limits and allocations between Member States
shall apply to catches of bluefin tuna between 8 kg/75 cm and 30 kg/115 cm by the vessels referred to in
point 2 of Annex VI (BFT/*E45W641):
Spain 167,05
France 322,69 *
Italy 130,70
Cyprus 4,80
Malta 10,35
Union 635,59
* Of which 50% may only
be fished in the Gulf of
Lion.
(5) Special condition: within this TAC, the following catch limits and allocations between Member States
shall apply to catches of bluefin tuna between 8 kg/75 cm and 30 kg/115 cm by the vessels referred to in
point 3 of Annex VI (BFT/*E45W643):
Italy 130,70
Union 130,70
(6) Special condition: within this TAC, the following catch limits and allocations between Member States
shall apply to catches of bluefin tuna between 8 kg/75 cm and 30 kg/115 cm by the vessels referred to in
point 3 of Annex VI for farming purposes (BFT/*E45W8303F):
Croatia 1 218,28
Union 1 218,28
”
(5) Annex IM is replaced by the following:
“
ANNEX IM
NPFC CONVENTION AREA
Table 1 Species: Chub mackerel and blue mackerel
Scomber japonicus and Scomber australasicus Zone: NPFC Convention area
Union 5 560 (1)(3)(4)(5) Precautionary TAC
NPFC
Contracting
Parties,
47 940 (1)(2)(3)(4) Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
EN 8 EN
including
Union TAC Not relevant
(1) May only be fished from 1 June 2026 to 31 December 2026. (2) Special condition: under this catch limit no more than the quantities given below may be taken by the
following vessels:
Trawlers* (M/M/NPFC-TR)
Purse seiners* (M/M/NPFC-
PS)
5 703 42 237
* The fisheries under those catch limits will be closed by NPFC Contracting Parties, including for the
Union by the Commission, within two days from the issue date of the notice of the NPFC Executive
Secretary that the utilisation of those catch limits has reached 95 %. (3) Only one trawler flying the flag of a Member State shall be authorised to fish for chub mackerel and blue
mackerel at any time. That applies without prejudice to any allocation of future fishing opportunities by the
Union in the NPFC Convention area, in particular to the Member State authorised to fish in the period from 1
June 2026 to 31 December 2026. (4)
Union fishing vessels over 10 000 gross tonnage shall not be authorised to fish for chub mackerel. (5)
Catches under this quota shall be reported separately (M/M/NPFC-EU).
”