The Council's Working Party on Fisheries Policy, meeting on 4 June 2026, took note of the Commission's presentation of two non-papers amending the main Total Allowable Catches (TAC) regulation and prepared for the upcoming PSMA Technical Working Group meeting, without adopting any decisions. Thirteen delegations commented or asked questions on the non-papers, which amend Council Regulation (EU) 2026/249 fixing fishing opportunities for 2026, 2027, and 2028 in Union waters and for Union vessels in certain non-Union waters. The Commission replied to the delegations' remarks, and member states were asked to submit written comments by Wednesday, 10 June 2026. No changes were agreed during the meeting; the next step is the written feedback from member states on the TAC amendment proposals.
The Working Party also addressed the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) Technical Working Group. One delegation initially raised a scrutiny reservation but later lifted it, while another delegation commented and received a response from the Commission. The Working Party took note of all comments and confirmed preparations for the Global Record Working Group meeting in Korea, scheduled for 8–12 June 2026. This meeting is part of the broader EU effort to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, with the PSMA serving as a key international instrument.
The TAC amendment process is a routine but significant step in the annual fisheries management cycle. The non-papers, presented by the Commission, propose adjustments to the fishing opportunities set earlier in the year. The involvement of thirteen delegations indicates active member state interest, particularly in the distribution of quotas and the impact on national fishing fleets. The Commission's replies during the meeting sought to clarify technical details and address concerns, but the lack of immediate agreement suggests that some member states may be seeking further modifications before the 10 June deadline.
The outcome of this Working Party meeting will feed into the next stages of the legislative process. After the written comments are submitted, the Commission will likely revise the proposal, and the file will proceed to the Council's fisheries configuration for political discussion and eventual adoption. The timeline is tight, as the amendments need to be in place before the start of the 2027 fishing season, and any delays could affect the predictability of fishing opportunities for the industry.
Stakeholders most affected by these amendments include EU fishing fleets, particularly those targeting stocks where TACs are adjusted; national fisheries administrations responsible for implementing quotas; and the processing and marketing sectors that depend on a stable supply of fish. The amendments could also have environmental implications, as TAC levels directly influence the sustainability of fish stocks. While the Working Party's discussions are technical, the eventual decisions will have economic and ecological consequences, balancing the need for viable fishing operations with the conservation of marine resources.
The next formal step is the submission of written comments by member states by 10 June 2026, after which the Commission will assess the feedback and potentially revise the non-papers. The Council is expected to revisit the file in subsequent Working Party meetings, with the aim of reaching a political agreement in the coming months.