EU Ministers Set 2026 Baltic Sea Catch Limits, Balancing Sustainability and Industry Needs
BRUSSELS — The Council of the European Union on Tuesday reached a political agreement on new limits for fish catches in the Baltic Sea for 2026, aiming to strike a balance between conservation and the long-term viability of the fishing sector.
The agreement sets the total allowable catches (TACs) and national quotas for key fish stocks, including herring, sprat, cod, salmon, and plaice. Officials stated the limits are largely consistent with the scientific advice provided by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES).
“Today’s agreement is about securing our shared future,” said Jacob Jensen, Danish Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries. “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.”
The EU fisheries ministers took into account both environmental and socioeconomic considerations in setting the 2026 limits.
Detailed Catch Decisions
The agreement includes varied quotas based on the health of individual stocks:
Sprat: Fishing opportunities were increased by 45% in line with ICES scientific advice.
Herring: Catch limits for central Baltic herring were increased by 15%, and a three-month spawning closure was approved. However, the TAC for Gulf of Riga herring was decreased by 17%. Catch limits for Western Baltic herring remained unchanged, with no directed fisheries permitted. The TAC for Bothnian herring was decreased by 40% due to its historically low stock size, and a three-month spawning closure was also implemented.
Salmon: Fishing opportunities for salmon in the Gulf of Finland were increased by 1%, but the catch limit for salmon in the Baltic main basin was decreased by 27%.
Cod: Both the Eastern and Western Baltic cod stocks remain in very poor condition. The Council maintained TACs for by-catches only to allow for stock recovery and agreed to maintain the prohibition of recreational cod fishing in the entire area.
Plaice: Catch limits will be reduced by 3% following scientific advice.
Additionally, the Council agreed to keep the limit for Norway pout in the North Sea unchanged at 400 metric tons for by-catches only, following consultations with the United Kingdom.
The Council will formally adopt the decision at an upcoming meeting after the final text is prepared in all EU languages. The agreement is consistent with the goals of the Common Fisheries Policy and the multiannual plan for Baltic Sea stocks.
