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

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

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) The Council is to adopt measures on the fixing and allocation of fishing opportunities, including certain conditions functionally linked to those fishing opportunities, as appropriate. In accordance with Article 16(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1), fishing opportunities are to be fixed in accordance with the objectives and rules of the common fisheries policy (CFP), as set out in Article 2(2) of that Regulation. Fishing opportunities are also to be fixed in accordance with requirements of Regulations (EU) 2018/973 (2) and (EU) 2019/472 (3) of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing multiannual plans (MAPs) for certain stocks fished in the North Sea and the Western Waters, and for fisheries exploiting those stocks. Pursuant to Article 16(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013, fishing opportunities allocated among the Member States are to ensure the relative stability of fishing activities of each Member State for each fish stock or fishery.

(2) The total allowable catches (TACs) should be established, in accordance with Article 3 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013, in accordance the best available scientific advice, based on a long-term perspective, taking into account regional specificities, and in the light of opinions expressed during the consultation of stakeholders.

(3) Pursuant to Article 15 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013, all stocks for which there are catch limits have been subject to the landing obligation since 1 January 2019, although certain exemptions apply. On the basis of joint recommendations by the Member States and in accordance with Article 15(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013, the Commission adopted Delegated Regulations (EU) 2023/2459 (4) and (EU) 2023/2623 (5) laying down details for the implementation of the landing obligation for certain fisheries.

(4) Fishing opportunities for stocks covered by the landing obligation should take account of the fact that discarding is in principle no longer allowed. Therefore, fishing opportunities should be based on the scientific advice figure for total catches as provided by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), where available. The quantities that, by way of exemption from the landing obligation, may continue to be discarded should be deducted from the advice figure for total catches. Moreover, fishing opportunities for stocks for which ICES provides only landings advice should be set on the basis of that advice.

(5) The MAPs established by Regulations (EU) 2018/973 and (EU) 2019/472 set out targets and measures for the long-term management of the stocks covered by those MAPs. Fishing opportunities for the stocks listed in Article 1(1) of Regulation (EU) 2018/973 and in Article 1(1) of Regulation (EU) 2019/472 (‘target stocks’) should be fixed in accordance with the range of fishing mortality values resulting in maximum sustainable yield (MSY) (‘ranges of FMSY’), or should be fixed at a lower level, and, where relevant, in accordance with the biomass safeguards provided for in those Regulations. The ranges of FMSY are set out in the relevant ICES advice. Fishing opportunities for target stocks for which ranges of FMSY cannot be determined, as well as for stocks referred to in Article 1(4) of Regulation (EU) 2018/973 and in Article 1(4) of Regulation (EU) 2019/472 (‘by-catch stocks’), should be fixed in accordance with the objectives set out in Article 2(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 or, where no adequate scientific information is available, in accordance with the precautionary approach to fisheries management, as defined in Article 4(1), point (8), of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013.

(6) Pursuant to Article 4(6) of Regulation (EU) 2018/973 and Article 4(7) of Regulation (EU) 2019/472, fishing opportunities for target stocks should be fixed to ensure that there is less than 5 % probability of the biomass falling below the limit biomass reference point (Blim) (6).

(7) In accordance with Article 7 of Regulation (EU) 2018/973 and Article 8 of Regulation (EU) 2019/472, where scientific advice indicates that the spawning stock biomass of any of the target stocks is below MSY Btrigger (7), remedial measures are to be taken. In particular, the fishing opportunities should be fixed at a level corresponding to the fishing mortality that is reduced proportionally to take into account the decrease in the biomass. Where scientific advice indicates that the spawning stock biomass of any of the target stocks is below Blim, further remedial measures are to be taken to ensure the rapid return of the stock to levels above those capable of producing MSY. In particular, those remedial measures can include suspending the targeted fishery for the stock in question and the adequate reduction of fishing opportunities for those or other stocks in the fisheries.

(8) There are certain stocks for which ICES advises zero catches or low catches, or ICES forecasts that a less than 5 % probability of the biomass falling below Blim could only be achieved with low catches; could only be achieved with zero catches; or could not even be achieved with zero catches. However, if TACs for those stocks were established at those levels, the obligation to land all catches, including by-catches from those stocks in mixed fisheries, may cause one or more fishing vessels to stop fishing even if they still have quota for other species, which in turn may lead to a premature closure of certain fisheries. Pursuant to Article 5(3) of Regulation (EU) 2018/973, Article 5(3) of Regulation (EU) 2019/472 and Article 16(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013, in conjunction with Article 2(1) and Article 2(5), points (c) and (f), of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 and in order to strike a balance between maintaining mixed fisheries, in view of the potentially severe socio-economic impacts of failing to do so, and the need to achieve a good biological status for those stocks, taking account of the difficulty of fishing all stocks in a mixed fishery at MSY, it is appropriate to establish specific TACs for by-catches for those stocks. Those by-catch TACs should be set at levels that avoid the risk of a premature closure of fisheries that still have quota for targeted species due to fishing vessels’ lack of quota for stocks caught as by-catch, where such a premature closure could have severe socio-economic impacts in the short-term. At the same time, the by-catch TACs should also ensure the conservation of the stocks concerned, where failing to conserve stocks could have severe long-term environmental and socio-economic impacts, as well as associated short-term socio-economic impacts. Those by-catch TACs should also be fixed at levels based on specific, reliable and verifiable evidence regarding potential premature closures, potential short-term socio-economic impacts as well as long-term environmental impacts. In order to reduce catches of the stocks for which by-catch TACs are set, fishing opportunities for the mixed fisheries in which fish from those stocks are by-caught should be set at levels that help the biomass of vulnerable stocks to recover to sustainable levels.

(9) In order to guarantee, to the extent possible, the use of fishing opportunities in mixed fisheries in accordance with Article 16(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013, it is appropriate to establish a pool for quota exchanges for Member States. Such a pool for quota exchanges would make unused quotas for certain by-catches available to Member States to cover their unavoidable by-catches in certain areas in circumstances where those Member States would otherwise have no quota.

(10) In accordance with Article 2(2) and Article 16(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013, for stocks that are not covered by Regulations (EU) 2018/973 and (EU) 2019/472, where adequate scientific information is available, fishing opportunities should be fixed in line with the FMSY point value (8) and, where relevant, at levels that restore stocks above levels capable of producing MSY. Where that scientific information is not available, fishing opportunities should be fixed in line with the precautionary approach to fisheries management.

(11) For certain stocks, ICES advice remains valid for several years and that advice remains the best available scientific advice for the entire advice period. In those cases, annual TACs covering the entire advice period should in principle be set (‘multiannual TACs’). If new ICES advice becomes available during that period, it should be ensured that the multiannual TACs remain consistent with the new advice, as soon as possible after the publication of such new ICES advice. Moreover, it should be ensured that the annual deductions from the advice figure for total catches, to take account of exemptions from the landing obligation, remain consistent with the available data. However, for certain stocks, and in particular for stocks showing recent significant variations in biomass or fishing mortality, it may be appropriate to continue setting annual TACs.

(12) In accordance with Article 4(3) of Regulation (EU) 2019/472, Spain and France should jointly ensure that, when determining their quotas for commercial fisheries for European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) in ICES divisions 8a and 8b, the sum of those quotas, commercial discards, recreational landings and recreational dead discards do not exceed the lowest value within the range of FMSY (‘MSY Flower’) for total removals for that area, i.e. 3 883 tonnes. In order to allow the Commission to monitor the correct application of the objectives and rules set out in Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 and in Regulation (EU) 2019/472, Spain and France should submit information regarding their respective quotas in commercial fisheries for European seabass to the Commission.

(13) Additional measures for recreational fisheries for European seabass in ICES divisions 8a and 8b should be maintained, in view of the significant impact of recreational fisheries on the fishing mortality for that stock.

(14) There are certain stocks for which ICES advises catches above a low level. However, if TACs for those stocks were established at those levels, the obligation to land all catches, including by-catches from those stocks in mixed fisheries, may cause one or more fishing vessels to stop fishing even if they still have quota for other species, which in turn may lead to a premature closure of certain fisheries. Pursuant to Article 5(3) of Regulation (EU) 2018/973, Article 5(3) of Regulation (EU) 2019/472 and Article 16(4) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013, in conjunction with Article 2(1) and Article 2(5), points (c) and (f), of that Regulation and in order to strike a balance between maintaining mixed fisheries, in view of the potentially severe socio-economic impacts of failing to do so, and the need to achieve a good status for those stocks, taking account of the difficulty of fishing all stocks in a mixed fishery at MSY, it is appropriate to establish specific TACs for by-catches for those stocks. Those by-catch TACs should be set at levels that avoid the risk of a premature closure of fisheries due to fishing vessels’ lack of quota for stocks caught as by-catch, where such a premature closure could have severe socio-economic impacts in the short-term, while also at the same time ensuring the conservation of the stocks concerned, where failing to conserve stocks could have severe long-term environmental and socio-economic impacts, as well as associated short-term socio-economic impacts. Those by-catch TACs should also be fixed based on specific, reliable and verifiable evidence regarding potential premature closures, potential short-term socio-economic impacts as well as long-term environmental impacts. In order to reduce catches of the stocks for which by-catch TACs are set, fishing opportunities for the mixed fisheries in which fish from those stocks are by-caught should be set at levels that help the biomass of vulnerable stocks to recover to sustainable levels.

(15) According to the relevant ICES advice, recreational catches of pollack (Pollachius pollachius) in ICES subarea 8 and division 9a are non-negligible. It is therefore appropriate to establish limits for recreational catches of pollack in that area and in adjacent areas, namely in ICES subareas 8, 9 and 10 and Union waters of Fishery Committee for the Eastern Central Atlantic (CECAF) area 34.1.1.

(16) In May 2022, ICES noted that, despite Member States’ efforts for the recovery of European eel (Anguilla anguilla), no overall progress had been made in achieving the 40 % silver eel biomass escapement objective across the entire Union, as required by Article 2(4) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1100/2007 (9), and that no clear patterns for mortality were observed. In November 2025, ICES advised once again that, when the precautionary approach is applied, there should be zero catches of European eel in all habitats and at all life stages, throughout its natural range, which includes the north-east Atlantic and the Mediterranean. That concerns both recreational and commercial catches and includes catches of glass eels for restocking and aquaculture.

(17) Council Regulation (EU) 2023/194 (10) extended to six months the closure period for any commercial eel fishing activity in Union marine and brackish waters of the north-east Atlantic. It also prohibited all recreational eel fisheries in those waters. It was considered that a six month closure period would better protect the stock than the Union and national measures that had been implemented until 2022. It was also considered that the extended closure period would further the achievement of the escapement objective of at least 40 % of silver eels. Council Regulations (EU) 2024/257 (11) and (EU) 2025/202 (12) maintained those measures while clarifying the criteria for setting the closure period and the possible derogation for continued limited eel fisheries during the eel migration period. Given the continued critical status of the European eel, it is appropriate to maintain those measures in 2026.

(18) Pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1100/2007, restocking of glass eel is a conservation measure chosen by certain Member States in their eel management plans. In order to enable those Member States to continue implementing that measure, glass eel catches in Union marine and brackish waters of the north-east Atlantic at the appropriate time of the year and possibly during their main migration period may be required. Therefore, Member States may allow further glass eel fishing exclusively for restocking for an additional 50 days during the main migration period of glass eel.

(19) According to ICES, the biomass of sole (Solea solea) in ICES subdivisions 20 to 24 is estimated to be below Blim in 2026. In accordance with Article 7(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/973, remedial measures should be established for that stock for 2026, to ensure its rapid return to the biomass level above that capable of producing the maximum sustainable yield. Such remedial measures should be established for the fisheries with substantial by-catches of sole, i.e. both for the mixed gillnet fisheries targeting plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) and for the mixed trawl fisheries targeting Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus). As by-catch of common sole is minimal in gillnet fisheries in subdivision 24 and in small-scale coastal fisheries in subdivision 22 south of a latitude 55°N, those areas should be exempted from such measures.

(20) In its advice for certain stocks of elasmobranchs (namely skates, sharks and rays) for 2026, ICES recommends zero catches, due to the poor conservation status of elasmobranchs and given that even limited fishing activity could give rise to a serious conservation risk. Therefore, the fishing for such species should be prohibited. In addition, pursuant to Article 15(4), point (a), of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013, the landing obligation does not apply to species for which fishing is prohibited. When accidentally caught, those species should not be harmed and should be promptly released. Discarding of such elasmobranchs is not considered to raise their fishing mortality significantly and supports the conservation of those stocks as they have high survival rates when discarded.

(21) In order to maximise the use of fishing opportunities, it is appropriate to allow for the implementation of a flexible arrangement between certain TAC areas where the same biological stock is concerned.

(22) Articles 3 and 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 847/96 (13) provide for year-to-year flexibility for quotas for stocks subject to both precautionary TACs and analytical TACs. Pursuant to Article 2 of that Regulation, when fixing TACs, the Council is to decide to which stocks Articles 3 and 4 of that Regulation are not to apply, on the basis of the biological status of stocks and commitments reached with third countries. Moreover, Article 15(9) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 provides for further year-to-year flexibility for all stocks that are subject to the landing obligation. In order to avoid excessive flexibility that would undermine the achievement of the objectives of the CFP, year-to-year flexibility for quotas pursuant to Articles 3 and 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 and Article 15(9) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 should not apply cumulatively. Year-to-year flexibility under Article 15(9) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 should, where relevant, be excluded on the basis of the biological status of the stock and of commitments reached with third countries.

(23) Where a stock is fished by one Member State only, it is appropriate to empower that Member State to fix a TAC for that stock, in accordance with Article 2(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). Such empowerment is appropriate, provided that, when determining the TAC level, the Member State complies with the objectives and rules set out in Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 and in Regulations (EU) 2018/973 and (EU) 2019/472. In order to allow the Commission to monitor the correct application of those objectives and rules, Member States should submit information regarding the TACs to the Commission. In addition, the Commission may request that the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) assess those TACs, and in the event that the STECF assesses those TACs as not being in compliance with the objectives and rules set out in Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 and in Regulations (EU) 2018/973 and (EU) 2019/472, Member States should amend the TACs on the basis of the STECF advice.

(24) It is necessary to establish the fishing effort limitations for sole in the Western Channel (ICES division 7e) in accordance with Article 12 of Regulation (EU) 2019/472.

(25) It is necessary to establish the fishing effort ceilings for bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) in part of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) Convention area, specifically in the Atlantic Ocean, east of 45°W, in accordance with Articles 6, 11, 13 and 16 of Regulation (EU) 2023/2053 of the European Parliament and of the Council (14).

(26) The use of fishing opportunities available to Union fishing vessels set out in this Regulation is subject to Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 (15), and in particular to Articles 33 and 34 of that Regulation, concerning the recording of catches and fishing effort, and the notification of data on the exhaustion of fishing opportunities. It is therefore necessary to specify the codes to be used by Member States when sending data to the Commission on catches and fishing effort for stocks subject to this Regulation.

(27) At its 2025 annual meeting, the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) did not adopt a recommendation setting the TAC for beaked redfish (Sebastes mentella) in international waters of ICES subareas 1 and 2 for 2026. Pending the possible adoption of a NEAFC recommendation for that stock, the TAC for beaked redfish in ICES subareas 1 and 2 should be provisionally set at zero.

(28) At its 2025 annual meeting, NEAFC also did not adopt a recommendation for Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) in ICES subareas 1 and 2 for 2026. The Union quota for Greenland halibut in international waters of ICES subareas 1 and 2 for 2026 should therefore be set at 1 711 tonnes. That level corresponds to 9,25 % of the level recommended by ICES advice in its advice for 2023 (18 494 tonnes), which constitutes the best available scientific advice for that stock.

(29) Mackerel (Scomber scombrus), blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) and Atlanto-Scandian herring (Clupea harengus) in the North-East Atlantic are subject to coastal States consultations on the fisheries management for those stocks, and are stocks that are also managed by NEAFC. The Union participates in coastal States consultations for 2026 on the basis of the positions endorsed by the Council on 13 October 2025. Regarding Atlanto-Scandian herring and blue whiting, the outcome of the consultations was documented in agreed records signed on 21 and 23 October 2025 respectively. At its annual meeting in 2025, NEAFC adopted a recommendation on conservation and management measures for 2026 for Atlanto-Scandian herring but not for blue whiting. It is therefore appropriate to set the TAC for Atlanto-Scandian herring based on the relevant NEAFC recommendation and the TAC for blue whiting in the north-east Atlantic for 2026 at the level of fishing opportunities agreed in the relevant coastal States Agreed Record. Regarding mackerel, the coastal States consultations are still ongoing and, at its annual meeting for 2025, NEAFC did not adopt any recommendation. It is therefore appropriate to set a provisional TAC for mackerel for the first half of 2026. Given the seasonality of the mackerel fishery, it is appropriate to set the provisional TAC at 156 921 tonnes, which corresponds to 90 % of the TAC advised by ICES.

(30) Blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) in the north-east Atlantic is subject to coastal States consultations on the fisheries management for that stock and is a stock that is also managed by NEAFC. The Union participated in coastal States consultations on the basis of the position endorsed by the Council on 7 October 2025. The outcome of the coastal States consultations on blue whiting was documented in an agreed record signed on 23 October 2025. At its annual meeting in 2025, NEAFC did not adopt a recommendation on conservation and management measures for blue whiting for 2026. The level of the TAC for blue whiting for 2026 should therefore be set at the level set out in that agreed record of 23 October 2025.

(31) At its 2025 annual meeting, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) maintained existing measures for certain stocks in the ICCAT Convention area for 2026. In addition, ICCAT increased the TAC level for bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and decreased the retention allowance for shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) in the southern Atlantic for 2026 compared to 2025. Those measures should be implemented in Union law.

(32) The Union quotas for stocks in the ICCAT Convention area for 2026 were adjusted during the 2025 ICCAT annual meeting, in accordance with several ICCAT recommendations under which the Union may, upon request, carry over a set percentage of its unused quota of fishing opportunities from either 2024 to 2026 or from 2025 to 2026. Pending such possible adjustments to Union quotas, quotas for individual Member States should be established on the basis of the total Union quota for 2026 as agreed by the ICCAT before any such adjustments.

(33) At its 2025 annual meeting, the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) adopted catch limits for stocks in the CCAMLR Convention area for the period from 1 December 2025 to 30 November 2026. Those measures should be implemented in Union law.

(34) At its 2025 annual meeting, the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) established the following measures in its Area of Competence for 2026: it maintained the existing measures adopted for yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), it reviewed the catch limits for bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus), and it adopted catch limits for skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) for the first time. Those measures should be implemented in Union law. The Union quota for skipjack tuna in the IOTC Area of Competence for 2026 should be allocated to the Member States concerned based on the average relative level of fishing activities of those Member States during two reference periods: the best five years of each Member State in the period from 2015 to 2024, and the period from 2022 to 2024.

(35) The annual meeting of the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO) is scheduled for 2 to 6 March 2026. Consequently, existing measures in the SPRFMO Convention area that are functionally linked to the TACs should be temporarily maintained until the annual meeting takes place and the 2026 TACs are established.

(36) At its 2025 annual meeting, the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) changed some of the existing measures applicable in the IATTC Convention area while maintaining the existing number of drifting fish aggregating devices (FADs) for 2026. Those measures should be implemented in Union law.

(37) At its 2023 annual meeting, the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT) adopted the TAC for Southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) for a three-year period from 2024 to 2026. That measure should be implemented in Union law for 2026.

(38) At its 2025 annual meeting, the South East Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (SEAFO) maintained for 2026 the existing TACs in the SEAFO Convention area. Those measures should be implemented in Union law.

(39) At its 2025 annual meeting, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) maintained for 2026 the measures adopted for 2025. In addition, the WCPFC adopted a by-catch limit for Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) for the WCPFC Convention area. Those measures should be implemented in Union law.

(40) At its 47th annual meeting in 2025, the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO) adopted fishing opportunities for certain stocks in the NAFO Convention area for 2026. It also maintained for 2026 the existing measures that are functionally linked to the fishing opportunities of shortfin squid (Illex illecebrosus) in NAFO subareas 3 and 4 and yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea) in NAFO divisions 3LNO, aimed at minimising the levels of by-catches of non-target species and without which the fishing opportunities for those stocks would have to be reduced to protect the non-target species. Those measures should be implemented in Union law.

(41) At its 2025 annual meeting, the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA) revised the existing measures for deep-water sharks, including the existing closure of fishing areas and the list of shark species for which directed fishing in the SIOFA Agreement Area is prohibited. In addition, SIOFA adopted a new measure for benthic fisheries, which includes closing certain areas for all bottom fishing activities and in certain areas only allowing bottom longline fishing. Those measures should be implemented in Union law.

(42) Under Article 498(2) 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 part (16) (the ‘Trade and Cooperation Agreement’), the Union and the United Kingdom are to hold annual consultations to agree, by 10 December of each year, the TACs for the following year for the stocks listed in Annex 35 to that Agreement.

(43) In 2025, the Union and the United Kingdom held bilateral consultations on the setting of a large number of TACs for 2026 for stocks listed in Annex 35 to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Those consultations were conducted pursuant to Article 498(2), (4) and (6) of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, and the Union participated in those consultations on the basis of the Union position endorsed by the Council on 21 October 2025, and in accordance with Commission services’ non-papers endorsed by the Council on 21, 23 and 31 October and 11 and 25 November 2025. The outcome of the consultations was documented in a written record signed by the Heads of Delegation on 10 December 2025. The relevant fishing opportunities should therefore be fixed at the levels set out in that written record, and the other measures functionally linked to the fishing opportunities also set out in that written record should be implemented in Union law.

(44) The Union and the United Kingdom agreed on a reciprocal access from 1 January 2026 until 31 December 2030, to target 560 tonnes of northern albacore (Thunnus alalunga) in the exclusive economic zones of the Member States and the United Kingdom. That agreement excludes access to areas referred to in Article 5(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013.

(45) The Union and the United Kingdom agreed on remedial measures for cod (Gadus morhua), haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), whiting (Merlangius merlangus), sole and plaice across the Celtic Sea, Irish Sea and Channel. Such measures are functionally linked to the TAC for the stocks concerned, as without such measures, the TAC levels would not ensure sufficient stock recovery. To ensure a level playing field for Union operators vis-à-vis United Kingdom operators, those measures should apply from 1 June 2026.

(46) According to the relevant ICES advice for 2026, recreational catches of pollack in ICES subareas 6 and 7 comprise a significant share of total catches. It is therefore appropriate to establish limits for recreational catches of pollack in those areas.

(47) Seasonal closures for sandeel fisheries with certain towed gear in ICES divisions 2a, 3a and ICES subarea 4 should continue to allow for the protection of spawning grounds and limitation of juvenile catches.

(48) In 2025, the Union, the United Kingdom and Norway held trilateral consultations on six shared and jointly managed stocks occurring within the areas under their respective jurisdiction. Those consultations were conducted between 27 October and 4 December 2025, on the basis of the Union position endorsed by the Council on 21 October 2025, and in accordance with the Commission services’ non-papers endorsed by the Council on the 23 and 27 October 2025. The outcome of the consultations was documented in an agreed record, signed by the Heads of Delegation on 5 December 2025. The relevant fishing opportunities should be set at the level agreed with the United Kingdom and Norway, together with the other provisions of the agreed record.

(49) Existing accompanying measures for the Northern Shelf cod should be maintained. In addition, remedial measures should be introduced in order to reduce fishing mortality, and increase the protection of juvenile cod. Those include two new closures for cod in Union waters of ICES division 4b, two extended closures in Union waters of division 3a and 2, updates to the Real Time Closure (RTC) regimes from 1 January to 31 March 2026 in Eastern Channel (ICES division 7d), Southern North Sea (ICES division 4c) and central North Sea (ICES division 4b and 3), and restrictions on targeting cod in the Southern and central North Sea (ICES divisions 4c and 4b), through a limitation on the total of cod catch in those two divisions.

(50) The Union held bilateral consultations with Norway on the management of seven shared stocks in the Skagerrak area: cod (Gadus morhua), haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), herring (Clupea harengus), Northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis), plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), sprat (Sprattus sprattus) and whiting (Merlangius merlangus). Those consultations were held with a view to agreeing on the management of those stocks and fishing opportunities for 2026, as well as on exchange of quotas and access arrangements for six jointly managed stocks in the North Sea. Those consultations were successfully concluded on 16 and 18 December 2025 and the outcome was documented in three agreed records. The bilateral agreement on fisheries arrangements in the Skagerrak and Kattegat for 2026 and the protocol of fisheries consultations between Norway and the European Union on behalf of Sweden for 2026 were signed by the Heads of Delegation on 16 December 2025. The agreement on exchanges of quota and access to waters for North Sea jointly managed stocks was signed by Heads of Delegation on 18 December 2025. The relevant fishing opportunities should be set at the level agreed with Norway, and the other provisions of those agreed records should also be implemented in Union law.

(51) Consultations between the Union and Norway are still ongoing regarding access to their respective waters for Atlanto-Scandian herring (Clupea harengus) and blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou). Pending the conclusion of those consultations, those access levels should be marked as ‘to be established’.

(52) For blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou), transfers of quotas from WHB/8C3411 to WHB/1X14 for 2025 should be allowed to allow for the agreed transfer of quota for blue whiting from the Union to Norway for 2026. That should be without prejudice to the principle of relative stability of fishing activities. Regulation (EU) 2025/202 should be amended accordingly.

(53) In accordance with the procedure provided for in 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 (17), and the implementing Protocol thereto (18), the Parties agreed at the Joint Committee meeting held on 19 and 20 November 2025 on the level of fishing opportunities available for the Union in Greenland waters for 2026. The relevant fishing opportunities should therefore be fixed at the level set out in the signed minutes of the Joint Committee meeting, and taking into account the transfers from the Union to Norway in the agreed records signed by the Heads of Delegation on 16 December 2025.

(54) The Treaty of 9 February 1920 relating to Spitsbergen (Svalbard) (the ‘1920 Treaty of Paris’) grants equal and non-discriminatory access to resources around Svalbard for all Parties to that Treaty, including with respect to fishing. The Union’s position concerning that access has been outlined in several notes verbales to Norway, with the most recent being dated 26 February 2021, 28 June 2021, 1 August 2022 and 26 October 2023. As regards the fishing opportunities for snow crabs (Chionoecetes spp.) around Svalbard, it is appropriate to limit the number of fishing vessels that are authorised to conduct such fishing activities, ensuring that the exploitation of snow crabs around Svalbard is consistent with non-discriminatory management rules set by Norway, which holds sovereignty and jurisdiction in the area in accordance with the relevant provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 1920 Treaty of Paris. The allocation of such fishing opportunities among Member States is limited to 2026. In the Union, the primary responsibility for ensuring compliance with applicable law lies with flag Member States.

(55) As regards the fishing opportunities for cod in the north-east Arctic, and in light of the absence of a reference TAC for 2026, it is appropriate to establish a provisional Union quota for cod in Svalbard waters and international waters of ICES subarea 1 and division 2b, in order to ensure the continuation of fishing activities of the Union fleet for 2026. The provisional Union quota should correspond to half of the Union quota established for 2025 and be limited to period from 1 January to 30 June 2026. That provisional Union quota should be allocated to the Member States in accordance with Council Decision 87/277/EEC (19), subject to the adaptations necessary due to the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the Union as set out in Annex 36, Table E, to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

(56) In accordance with the Union’s Declaration addressed to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on the granting of fishing opportunities in Union waters to fishing vessels flying the flag of Venezuela in the exclusive economic zone off the coast of French Guiana, approved on behalf of the Union by Council Decision (EU) 2015/1565 (20), it is necessary to fix the maximum number of fishing authorisations for snapper available to Venezuela in Union waters for 2026.

(57) In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Regulation, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission to authorise individual Member States to manage fishing effort allocations in accordance with a kilowatt per day system, to grant additional days at sea for the permanent cessation of fishing activities and for enhanced scientific observer coverage and to establish spreadsheet formats for the collection and transmission of information on transfers of days at sea between fishing vessels flying the flag of a Member State. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council (21).

(58) To ensure continuous application and prevent legal uncertainty during the period between the end of the year and the date of entry into force of the Regulation fixing the fishing opportunities for the subsequent year, the provisions of this Regulation concerning prohibitions and closed seasons should continue to apply at the beginning of 2027 until the entry into force of the Regulation fixing the fishing opportunities for 2027.

(59) For reasons of urgency and to provide legal certainty as soon as possible, this Regulation should enter into force on the day of its publication.

(60) To avoid the interruption of fishing activities and safeguard the livelihood of fishers, this Regulation should apply retroactively with effect from 1 January 2026.

(61) Moreover, certain international measures that create or restrict fishing opportunities for the Union were adopted by the relevant regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs) at the end of 2025 and became applicable before the entry into force of this Regulation. In order to reflect this situation, the provisions of this Regulation that implement such measures in Union law should therefore apply retroactively with effect from 1 December 2025. In particular, as the fishing season in the CCAMLR Convention area runs from 1 December to 30 November, and as certain fishing opportunities or prohibitions in the CCAMLR Convention area are laid down for a period starting from 1 December 2025, the relevant provisions of this Regulation should apply from that date. In addition, the fishing season for toothfishes in the SIOFA Agreement Area runs from 1 December to 30 November, and as the TACs for that group of species are established for a period starting from 1 December 2025, the TACs should apply from that date. Such retroactive application does not prejudice the principle of legitimate expectation as it is forbidden for fishing vessels flying the flag of the Contracting Party to fish in the CCAMLR Convention area and the SIOFA Agreement Area without authorisation.

(62) Furthermore, the provisions that amend Regulation (EU) 2025/202 to allow for transfer of quota for blue whiting from WHB/8C3411 to WHB/1X14 for 2025 should apply retroactively. Such retroactive application does not affect the principle of legitimate expectations, as the quotas under those TACs have not yet been exhausted,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

TITLE I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1

Subject matter

(a) catch limits for the year 2026 and, where specified in this Regulation, also for 2027 and 2028;

(b) fishing effort limits for the year 2026, except the fishing effort limits set out in Annex II, for the period from 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2027;

(c) fishing opportunities for the period from 1 December 2025 to 30 November 2026 for certain stocks in the CCAMLR Convention area and for certain stocks in the SIOFA Agreement Area; and

(d) fishing opportunities for the period from 1 June 2026 to 31 May 2027 in the NPFC Convention area.

Article 2

Scope

(a) Union fishing vessels; and

(b) third country fishing vessels in Union waters.

(a) certain recreational fisheries expressly referred to in the relevant provisions of this Regulation; and

(b) commercial fisheries from shore.

Article 3

Definitions

For the purposes of this Regulation, the definitions in Article 4 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 apply. In addition, the following definitions apply:

(a) ‘third country fishing vessel’ means a fishing vessel flying the flag of, and registered in, a third country;

(b) ‘recreational fisheries’ means non-commercial fishing activities exploiting marine biological resources in the context of recreation, tourism or sport;

(c) ‘international waters’ means waters outside the sovereignty or jurisdiction of any State;

(e) ‘quota’ means a proportion of a TAC that is allocated to the Union, a Member State or a third country;

(f) ‘analytical assessment’ means a quantitative evaluation of trends in a given stock, based on data about the stock’s biology and exploitation, including based on proxies, which scientific review has indicated to be of sufficient quality to provide scientific advice;

(g) ‘analytical TAC’ means a TAC for which an analytical assessment is available;

(h) ‘precautionary TAC’ means a TAC for which an analytical assessment is not available but rather an assessment based on the precautionary approach is available or no assessment is available;

(i) ‘mesh size’ means the mesh size of fishing nets as defined in Article 6, point (34), of Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 of the European Parliament and of the Council (22);

(j) ‘Union fishing fleet register’ means the register maintained by the Commission pursuant to Article 24(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013;

(k) ‘fishing logbook’ means the logbook referred to in Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009;

(l) ‘instrumented buoy’ means a buoy clearly marked with a unique reference number allowing identification of its owner and equipped with a satellite tracking system to monitor its position;

(m) ‘operational buoy’ means any instrumented buoy, previously activated, switched on and deployed at sea on a drifting fish aggregating device (FAD) or log, which transmits positions and other available information such as echo-sounder estimates.

Article 4

Fishing zones

For the purposes of this Regulation, the following fishing zone definitions apply:

(a) ‘ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea) zones’ means the geographical areas specified in Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 218/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council (23);

(b) ‘Skagerrak’ means the geographical area bounded on the west by a line drawn from the Hanstholm lighthouse to the Lindesnes lighthouse and on the south by a line drawn from the Skagen lighthouse to the Tistlarna lighthouse and from that point to the nearest point on the Swedish coast;

(c) ‘Kattegat’ means the geographical area bounded on the north by a line drawn from the Skagen lighthouse to the Tistlarna lighthouse and from that point to the nearest point on the Swedish coast and on the south by a line drawn from Hasenøre to Gnibens Spids, from Korshage to Spodsbjerg and from Gilbjerg Hoved to Kullen;

(h) ‘functional unit 30 of ICES division 9a’ means the geographical area under the jurisdiction of Spain in the Gulf of Cádiz and in the adjacent waters of ICES division 9a;

(j) ‘Gulf of Cádiz’ means the geographical area of ICES division 9a east of longitude 7° 23' 48″ W;

(k) ‘CCAMLR (Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources) Convention area’ means the geographical area defined in the Convention on the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources (24);

(l) ‘CECAF (Committee for Eastern Central Atlantic Fisheries) areas’ means the geographical areas specified in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 216/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council (25);

(m) ‘IATTC (Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission) Convention area’ means the geographical area defined in the Convention for the Strengthening of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission established by the 1949 Convention between the United States of America and the Republic of Costa Rica (Antigua Convention) (26);

(n) ‘ICCAT (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas) Convention area’ means the geographical area defined in the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (27);

(o) ‘IOTC (Indian Ocean Tuna Commission) Area of Competence’ means the geographical area defined in the Agreement for the establishment of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (28);

(p) ‘NAFO (Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation) Convention Area’ and ‘NAFO areas’ means the geographical areas defined in the Convention on future Multilateral Cooperation in the North-West Atlantic Fisheries (29);

(q) ‘NAFO Regulatory Area’ means the part of the NAFO Convention Area which is beyond national jurisdiction;

(r) ‘NPFC Convention area’ means the geographical area defined in the Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fisheries Resources in the North Pacific Ocean (30);

(s) ‘SEAFO (South East Atlantic Fisheries Organisation) Convention area’ means the geographical area defined in the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Fishery Resources in the South-East Atlantic Ocean (31);

(t) ‘SIOFA (Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement) Agreement Area’ means the geographical area defined in the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (32);

(u) ‘SPRFMO (South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation) Convention area’ means the geographical area defined in the Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fishery Resources in the South Pacific Ocean (33);

(v) ‘WCPFC (Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission) Convention area’ means the geographical area defined in the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (34);

(w) ‘high seas of the Bering Sea’ means the geographical area of the high seas of the Bering Sea beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial seas of the coastal States of the Bering Sea is measured;

TITLE II

FISHING OPPORTUNITIES FOR UNION FISHING VESSELS

CHAPTER I

General provisions

Article 5

TACs and allocations

Article 6

TACs to be determined by Member States

(a) be consistent with the objectives and rules set out in Regulations (EU) No 1380/2013, (EU) 2018/973 and (EU) 2019/472, in particular the objective of sustainable exploitation of the stock; and

(a) the TACs that it has determined;

(b) the data that it has collected, assessed and used as a basis for the determination of the TACs; and

(c) details as to how the determined TACs comply with the conditions laid down in paragraph 2.

(a) assesses the information referred to in paragraph 3, points (b) and (c); and

(b) assesses whether the TACs determined by Member States comply with the conditions laid down in paragraph 2.

Article 7

Conditions for landing catches and by-catches

(a) have been taken by fishing vessels flying the flag of a Member State that has a quota and that quota has not been exhausted; or

(b) make up a share of a Union quota that has not been allocated among Member States and that has not been exhausted.

Article 8

Quota exchange mechanism for TACs for unavoidable by-catches

Article 9

Fishing effort limits in ICES division 7e

Article 10

Measures on European seabass fisheries in ICES divisions 4b, 4c and 6a and ICES subarea 7

(a) using demersal trawls (36), for unavoidable by-catches not exceeding 10,0 tonnes per fishing vessel and per year and 20 % of the weight of the total catches of marine organisms on board caught by the fishing vessel concerned per fishing trip;

(b) using seines (37), for unavoidable by-catches not exceeding 10,0 tonnes per fishing vessel and per year and 20 % of the weight of the total catches of marine organisms on board caught by the fishing vessel concerned per fishing trip;

(c) using hooks and lines (38), not exceeding 8,0 tonnes per fishing vessel and per year;

(d) using fixed gillnets (39), for unavoidable by-catches not exceeding 5,4 tonnes per fishing vessel and per year.

The derogations set out in the first subparagraph, point (c), shall apply to Union fishing vessels that have recorded catches of European seabass using hooks and lines over the period from 1 July 2015 to 30 September 2016.

The derogations set out in the first subparagraph, point (d), shall apply to Union fishing vessels that have recorded catches of European seabass using fixed gillnets over the period from 1 July 2015 to 30 September 2016.

In the case of a replacement of a Union fishing vessel, Member States may allow the derogations to apply to another Union fishing vessel provided that the number of Union fishing vessels subject to each of the derogations and their overall fishing capacity do not increase.

Article 11

Measures for European seabass fisheries in the ICES divisions 8a and 8b

(a) a maximum of two specimen of European seabass may be caught and retained per fisher per day; and

(b) fixed nets shall not be used to catch or retain European seabass.

Article 12

Measures on recreational fisheries for pollack in ICES areas 6 and 7

Article 13

Measures for pollack in ICES subareas 8, 9 and 10 and Union waters of CECAF area 34.1.1

(a) a maximum of two specimens of pollack may be caught and retained per fisher per day; once that ceiling has been reached, ‘catch and release’ fishing may be carried out; and

(b) no specimens of pollack are permitted to be caught and retained from 1 January to 30 April; ‘catch and release’ fishing may nevertheless be carried out during that period.

Article 14

Measures on European eel fisheries in Union waters of ICES subareas 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9

(a) where appropriate, the closure period or periods may differ between Member States or within one Member State from one fishing area to another in order to take account of the geographical and temporal migration pattern of European eel at its different life stages;

(b) the closure period or periods shall last for a consecutive or non-consecutive time span of at least six months, which shall apply to all fishers concerned in the relevant fishing area;

(c) the closure period or periods shall be consistent with the conservation objectives set out in Regulation (EC) No 1100/2007, and with national management plans established pursuant to Article 2 of that Regulation; and

(d) the closure period or periods shall cover the main migration period or periods, including the respective peak, of European eel at the respective life stage in the Member State concerned.

(a) the fishing activity shall only be allowed when the only access available to the European eel to marine waters necessarily passes through non-Union brackish waters;

(b) the catches taken in ICES subdivisions 22 to 32 shall meet the minimum conservation reference size of 35 cm, in accordance with Part A of Annex VIII to Regulation (EU) 2019/1241;

(c) any European eel that is sexually mature and is caught shall not be harmed, shall be transported without undue delay and shall be immediately released to nearby Union marine waters at a place designated by the Member State concerned, which would allow it to continue downstream migration;

(d) any incidentally caught European eel that is not sexually mature shall not be harmed and shall be immediately released back into the water; and

(e) the fishing activity shall be undertaken with the involvement of a national scientific body.

(a) by 1 May, of the closure period or periods determined in accordance with paragraphs 3 to 7, together with the supporting information justifying the chosen period or periods;

(b) within two weeks of their adoption, of national measures relating to the closure period or periods that were determined in accordance with paragraphs 3 to 7;

Article 15

Special provisions on allocations of fishing opportunities

(a) exchanges pursuant to Article 16(8) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013;

(b) deductions and additions pursuant to Article 37 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009;

(c) reallocations pursuant to Articles 12 and 47 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2403;

(d) additional landings allowed under Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 and Article 15(9) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013;

(e) quantities withheld in accordance with Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 and Article 15(9) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013;

(f) deductions and adjustments pursuant to Articles 105, 106, 107 and 107a of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009; and

(g) quota transfers and exchanges pursuant to Articles 26 and 55 of this Regulation.

Article 16

Closed fishing seasons for sandeels

Commercial fishing for sandeels (Ammodytes spp.) with demersal trawl, seine or similar towed gears with a mesh size of less than 16 mm shall be prohibited in ICES divisions 2a and 3a and in ICES subarea 4 from 1 January to 31 March 2026 and from 1 August to 31. December 2026.

Article 17

Remedial measures for cod in the North Sea

(a) their cod catches do not account for more than 5 % of their total catches per fishing trip; fishing vessels whose cod catches did not exceed 5 % of their total catches in 2017 to 2019 are presumed to comply with this criterion provided that they continue to use the same gear that they used in that period; this presumption may be rebutted;

(b) a regulated and highly selective bottom trawl or seine is used, resulting, according to a scientific study, in at least a 30 % reduction in cod catches compared to fishing vessels fishing with the baseline mesh size for towed gears, as specified in Part B, point 1.1, of Annex V to Regulation (EU) 2019/1241; such studies may be evaluated by the STECF and in the case of a negative evaluation, the gears concerned shall no longer be considered valid for use in the areas referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article;

(e) fishing vessels are subject to a national cod avoidance plan to sustain cod catches in line with the fishing mortality corresponding to the fishing opportunities fixed, based on scientific advice levels, through spatial or technical measures, or a combination thereof; such plans shall be assessed no later than two months following their implementation, by the STECF in the case of Member States or by the relevant national scientific body in the case of third countries, and, where deemed necessary, further revised if such assessments find that the objective of the national cod avoidance plan will not be met.

Article 18

Real-time closures of certain fisheries in the North Sea and Skagerrak

Article 19

Technical measures for the Celtic Sea, the Irish Sea and the West of Scotland

(b) in addition, fishing vessels fishing with otter trawls whose catches weighed before any discards consist of at least 20 % of haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) shall use a fishing gear that is constructed with a minimum of one metre spacing between the fishing line and ground gear; Member States may exempt from the application of this point fishing vessels fishing with otter trawls whose catches, weighed before any discards, consist of less than 1,5 % of cod, provided those vessels are subject to a progressive increase of observer coverage at sea up to at least 20 % of all their fishing trips;

(a) fishing vessels shall use a square mesh panel (positioning retained) of at least 300 mm for vessels deploying a cod-end mesh size less than 100 mm; for vessels below 12 m in length overall or with engine power of 200 kW or less, the panel overall length may be 2 m and the panel mesh size may be 200 mm;

(b) fishing vessels with catches comprising more than 30 % of Norway lobster shall use a square mesh panel (positioning retained) of at least 160 mm for vessels deploying a cod-end mesh size of 100-119 mm.

(b) fishing vessels equal to or greater than 12 metres in length overall operating with otter trawls or seines with catches comprising more than 10 % of haddock, cod and skates and rays (Rajiformes) combined, shall use 120 mm cod-end.

(a) in ICES divisions 7b and 7c;

(b) in the area west of 5° W longitude in ICES division 7e; and

(c) in ICES divisions from 7f to 7k.

This prohibition shall not apply to fishing vessels where:

(a) they use a cod-end mesh size of at least 100 mm; or

(b) their by-catches of cod do not exceed 1,5 %, as assessed by the STECF, when fishing outside the areas referred to in paragraph 1.

(a) ‘otter trawls’ means trawls held open by otter boards towed on the seabed;

(d) ‘Netgrid device’ means a selectivity device consisting of a four-panel section inserted into a two-panel trawl with an inclined sheet of diamond mesh netting with a mesh size of at least 200 mm leading to an escape hole in the top of the trawl.

Article 20

Technical measures for the Channel

(a) fishing vessels operating with otter trawls or seines with catches comprising more than 25 % cod, haddock, whiting or saithe combined, shall use 100 mm cod-end; and

(b) fishing vessels operating with otter trawls, beam trawls, and seines with catches comprising more than 30 % sole or plaice combined and, in the case of otter trawls or seines additionally with catches comprising less than 25 % cod, haddock, whiting and saithe combined, shall use 90 mm cod-end.

Article 21

Technical measures for Northern prawn in the Skagerrak

Article 22

Remedial measures for common sole in the Skagerrak, Kattegat and western Baltic Sea

(a) Union fishing vessels that target non-quota species and whose by-catches of common sole (Solea solea) are below 1 % in the sea area south of latitude 55° 00' N and up to two nautical miles measured from the baselines; or

(b) fishing operations conducted for the exclusive purpose of scientific investigations, provided that those investigations are carried out in compliance with Article 25 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1241.

Article 23

Prohibited species

(a) starry ray (Amblyraja radiata) in United Kingdom and Union waters of ICES subarea 4 and division 7d, United Kingdom waters of division 2a and Union waters of division 3a;

(b) splendid alfonsino (Beryx splendens) in NAFO subarea 6;

(c) sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus) in all waters other than the Mediterranean;

(d) common skate (Dipturus batis) complex (Dipturus cf. flossada and Dipturus cf. intermedia) in United Kingdom and Union waters of ICES subareas 4, 6, 7 and 8, United Kingdom waters of division 2a and subarea 5 and Union waters of subareas 3, 9 and 10;

(e) great lanternshark (Etmopterus princeps) in United Kingdom and Union waters of ICES subarea 4, United Kingdom waters of division 2a and international waters of subareas 1 and 14;

(f) tope shark (Galeorhinus galeus) when taken with longlines in United Kingdom and Union waters of ICES subareas 4, United Kingdom waters of division 2a, United Kingdom and international waters of subarea 5, United Kingdom, Union and international waters of subareas 6 to 8, and international waters of subareas 12 and 14;

(g) orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) in United Kingdom, Union and international waters of ICES subareas 1 to 10, 12 and 14;

(h) porbeagle (Lamna nasus) in all waters;

(i) thornback ray (Raja clavata) in Union waters of ICES division 3a;

(j) undulate ray (Raja undulata) in United Kingdom and Union waters of ICES subarea 6 and Union waters of ICES subarea 10;

(k) whale shark (Rhincodon typus) in all waters;

(l) common guitarfish (Rhinobatos rhinobatos) in the Mediterranean; or

(m) deep-sea species listed in Part D of Annex IA in Union, United Kingdom and international waters of ICES zones 1, 2 (except United Kingdom waters of division 2a), 5 to 10, 12 and 14, and CECAF areas 34.1.1, 34.1.2 and 34.2, as well as in Union and United Kingdom waters of ICES division 2a and subarea 4, where specified in that Annex.

Article 24

Data transmission

When Member States submit by electronic means to the Commission or the body designated by it data relating to catches and fishing effort pursuant to Articles 33 and 34 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, they shall use the stock codes set out in the Annexes to this Regulation.

CHAPTER II

Fishing authorisations in third-country waters

Article 25

Fishing authorisations

CHAPTER III

Fishing opportunities managed by regional fisheries management organisations

Section 1

General provisions

Article 26

Quota transfers or exchanges