The Council of the European Union has adopted a package of measures under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), setting total allowable catches (TACs) for EU waters and the Mediterranean for the period 2026-2028, and authorising negotiations for a new fisheries protocol with Mauritania. The decisions, taken at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting on 2 December 2026, will directly affect EU fishing fleets, national quota allocations, and the sustainability of fish stocks.
The outcome of proceedings, published on 2 December 2026, comprises legislative proposals for Council Regulations fixing annual catch limits (TACs) for key commercial species in EU waters and the Mediterranean Sea. These are binding regulations that set concrete numerical quotas for each member state. The document also includes a Council Decision authorising the opening of negotiations for a new fisheries protocol with Mauritania, and outlines preparations for international fisheries consultations with the United Kingdom, Seychelles, and Gabon, as well as for meetings of regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs).
Policy orientations and trade-offs
The TAC proposals reflect a balance between conservation objectives under the CFP's maximum sustainable yield (MSY) target and the socio-economic needs of fishing communities. Some member states raised concerns about the economic impact of reduced quotas for certain stocks, while environmental groups have historically pushed for stricter limits to prevent overfishing. The Council also discussed the need to maintain a level playing field with non-EU fleets, particularly in the Mediterranean, where third-country vessels operate under different rules.
Impact on stakeholders
EU fishing fleets are directly affected by TAC reductions or increases, which determine their annual catch limits and thus their revenue and operational planning. For example, quotas for demersal stocks in the North Sea may be cut to rebuild stocks, impacting trawler operators. National fisheries authorities are responsible for allocating national quotas and enforcing compliance, balancing domestic industry demands with EU law. EU consumers may face higher prices for certain fish species if supply is constrained by lower TACs, though long-term sustainability benefits could stabilise supply. Non-EU fishing nations will be affected by the new Mauritania protocol and negotiations with the UK, Seychelles, and Gabon, which will determine access rights for EU vessels to third-country waters, affecting competition and resource sharing.
Expected institutional follow-up
The proposed Council Regulations will now be formally adopted by the Council after legal-linguistic revision. The European Parliament will be consulted on the Mauritania protocol negotiations. International consultations with the UK and other partners are scheduled for early 2027, with outcomes to be incorporated into future TAC regulations.