LegalizeCouncil 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
Where the rules of a regional fisheries management organisation (RFMO) permit quota transfers or exchanges between the Contracting Parties to that RFMO, a Member State (the ‘Member State concerned’) may discuss an outline of the quota transfer or exchange with a Contracting Party to that RFMO and establish a possible outline of an intended quota transfer or exchange, as appropriate. The Member State concerned shall notify the Commission of that outline.
On being notified in accordance with paragraph 1, the Commission may endorse the outline of the intended quota transfer or exchange. If the Commission endorses that outline, it shall express, without undue delay, the consent to be bound by the intended quota transfer or exchange. It shall notify the secretariat of the relevant RFMO of the transfer or exchange in accordance with the rules of that RFMO.
The Commission shall inform the Member States of any agreed quota transfer or exchange.
The fishing opportunities received or transferred by the Member State concerned under the quota transfer or exchange shall be deemed to be quotas added to, or deducted from, its allocation as of the moment when the transfer or exchange takes effect under the terms of the agreement with the relevant Contracting Party to the RFMO or in accordance with the rules of the relevant RFMO, as appropriate. Such transfers or exchanges shall not affect the distribution key for allocating fishing opportunities among Member States in accordance with the principle of relative stability of fishing activities.
Section 2
ICCAT Convention area
Article 27
Fishing, farming and fattening capacity limitations
The number of Union bait boats and trolling boats authorised to fish actively for bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) between 8 kg/75 cm and 30 kg/115 cm in the eastern Atlantic shall be limited as set out in point 1 of Annex VI.
The number of Union coastal artisanal fishing vessels authorised to fish actively for bluefin tuna between 8 kg/75 cm and 30 kg/115 cm in the Mediterranean shall be limited as set out in point 2 of Annex VI.
The number of Union fishing vessels fishing for bluefin tuna in the Adriatic Sea for farming purposes authorised to fish actively for bluefin tuna between 8 kg/75 cm and 30 kg/115 cm shall be limited as set out in point 3 of Annex VI.
The number of Union fishing vessels authorised to fish for, retain on board, tranship, transport or land bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean shall be limited as set out in point 4 of Annex VI.
The number of traps engaged in bluefin tuna fishery in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean shall be limited as set out in point 5 of Annex VI.
The number of authorised farms to operate for bluefin tuna and the maximum input of wild-caught bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean shall be limited as set out in point 6 of Annex VI.
The maximum number of Union fishing vessels authorised to fish for northern albacore (Thunnus alalunga) as a target species in accordance with Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2107 of the European Parliament and of the Council (44) shall be limited as set out in point 7 of Annex VI to this Regulation.
The maximum number of Union fishing vessels of at least 20 m length fishing for bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) in the ICCAT Convention area shall be limited as set out in point 8 of Annex VI.
Article 28
Recreational fisheries
Where appropriate, Member States shall allocate a specific share from their allocated quotas to recreational fisheries, as set out in Annex ID.
Article 29
Prohibitions relating to thresher sharks and shortfin mako
In addition to the prohibitions established in Articles 32 to 36 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2107, direct fishing for species of thresher sharks of the Alopias genus shall be prohibited. That additional prohibition shall be without prejudice to the prohibition to retain on board, tranship or land any part or whole carcass for bigeye thresher sharks (Alopias superciliosus) set out in Article 32 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2107.
It shall be prohibited to retain on board, tranship or land any part or whole carcass of shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) in the Atlantic Ocean, north of 5°N, caught in fisheries in the ICCAT Convention area.
Article 30
FADs for tropical tunas
It shall be prohibited to use FADs in the ICCAT Convention area from 17 March to 30 April.
From 2 March to 16 March, Member States shall ensure that their fishing vessels do not deploy FADs.
Section 3
CCAMLR Convention area
Article 31
Exploratory fisheries notifications for toothfish for the 2026-2027 fishing season
Member States may participate in, or authorise their fishing vessels to participate in, longline exploratory fisheries for toothfish (Dissostichus spp.) in Food and Agriculture Organisation of United Nations (FAO) subareas 48.6, 88.1 and 88.2 and FAO divisions 58.4.1, 58.4.2 and 58.4.3a outside areas of national jurisdiction in the period from 1 December 2026 to 30 November 2027, in accordance with Article 7(2) to (7) of Council Regulation (EC) No 601/2004 (45).
By way of derogation from the deadlines set out in Article 7(5) and (6) of Regulation (EC) No 601/2004, Member States intending to participate in, or authorise their fishing vessels to participate in, exploratory fisheries as referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall notify the CCAMLR Secretariat no later than 1 June 2026.
Article 32
Toothfish fishery during the 2025-2026 fishing season
In addition to the special requirements for exploratory fisheries set out in Article 7a of Regulation (EC) No 601/2004, fishing for toothfish in the period from 1 December 2025 to 30 November 2026 shall be limited to the Member States, subareas and number of fishing vessels set out in Table A in Annex VII of this Regulation. For that fishery, the TACs, and by-catch limits set out in Table B in that Annex shall apply.
Direct fishing for shark species for purposes other than scientific research shall be prohibited. Any by-catch of shark, especially juveniles and gravid females, taken accidentally in the toothfish fishery shall be released alive.
Where applicable, fishing for toothfish in any small-scale research unit (SSRU) shall cease when the reported catch reaches the specified TAC, and the SSRU shall be closed to fishing for the remainder of the fishing season.
Fishing shall take place over a geographical and bathymetric range as large as possible, so as to obtain the information necessary to determine fishery potential and avoid an overconcentration of catch and fishing effort. However, fishing in FAO subareas 48.6, 88.1 and 88.2 shall be prohibited in depths shallower than 550 m.
Article 33
Krill fishery during the 2026-2027 fishing season
For the purposes of Article 5a of Regulation (EC) No 601/2004, Member States intending to fish for krill (Euphausia superba) in the CCAMLR Convention area during the period from 1 December 2026 to 30 November 2027 shall notify the Commission thereof by 1 May 2026, using the form in Part B of the Appendix to Annex VII of this Regulation.
By way of derogation from the deadlines set out in Article 7(5) and (6) of Regulation (EC) No 601/2004, and on the basis of the information provided by the Member States concerned, the Commission shall submit the notifications to the CCAMLR Secretariat by 30 May 2026.
The notification referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall include the information provided for in Article 3(2) and (3) of Regulation (EC) No 601/2004 for each fishing vessel to be authorised to participate in the krill fishery.
A Member State intending to fish for krill in the CCAMLR Convention area shall notify the Commission thereof only in respect of authorised fishing vessels that, at the time of the notification:
(a) are flying its flag; or
(b) are flying the flag of another CCAMLR member and are expected to be flying the flag of that Member State at the time the fishery takes place.
Where an authorised fishing vessel notified to the CCAMLR Secretariat in accordance with paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 is prevented from participating in a krill fishery due to legitimate operational reasons or force majeure, the Member State concerned may authorise its replacement by another fishing vessel. In such a case, the Member State concerned shall immediately inform the CCAMLR Secretariat, with the Commission in copy, providing:
(a) full details of the intended replacement fishing vessel or vessels, including the information provided for in Article 3(2) and (3) of Regulation (EC) No 601/2004; and
(b) a comprehensive account of the reasons justifying the replacement and any relevant supporting evidence or references.
Section 4
IOTC Area of Competence
Article 34
Limitation of fishing capacity of fishing vessels
The maximum number of Union fishing vessels fishing for tropical tunas in the IOTC Area of Competence and the corresponding capacity in gross tonnage shall be as set out in point 1 of Annex VIII.
The maximum number of Union fishing vessels fishing for swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and albacore (Thunnus alalunga) in the IOTC Area of Competence and the corresponding capacity in gross tonnage shall be as set out in point 2 of Annex VIII.
Member States may reallocate fishing vessels assigned to one of the fisheries referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 to the other fishery, provided that they can demonstrate to the Commission that such change does not lead to an increase of fishing effort in respect of the fish stocks concerned.
Where a transfer of capacity to the fleet of a Member State is proposed, that Member State shall ensure that fishing vessels to be transferred are on the IOTC record of authorised fishing vessels or on the record of fishing vessels of other RFMOs managing tuna fisheries. Fishing vessels that appear on any RFMO’s list of vessels that have engaged in illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing activities may not be transferred.
Member States may increase their fishing capacity beyond the ceilings referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 only within the limits set out in the development plans submitted to the IOTC.
Article 35
Drifting FADs and supply vessels
Drifting FADs shall be equipped with instrumented buoys. The use of any other buoys, such as radio buoys, shall be prohibited.
A purse seine fishing vessel shall follow no more than 250 operational buoys at any time.
No more than 400 instrumented buoys shall be acquired annually for each purse seine fishing vessel.
No more than three supply vessels shall operate in support of not fewer than 12 purse seine fishing vessels, all flying the flag of a Member State. This paragraph shall not apply to Member States using only one supply vessel.
A single purse seine fishing vessel shall not be supported by more than one supply vessel flying the flag of a Member State at any time.
The Union shall not register new or additional supply vessels in the IOTC record of authorised fishing vessels.
Section 5
SPRFMO Convention area
Article 36
Pelagic fisheries
Only those Member States that have actively exercised pelagic fisheries activities in the SPRFMO Convention area in 2007, 2008 or 2009 may fish for pelagic stocks in that area in accordance with the TACs set out in Annex IH.
The Member States referred to in paragraph 1 may use the fishing opportunities set out in Annex IH only if they send the following information to the Commission by the fifteenth day of the following month, so that the Commission can communicate it to the SPRFMO Secretariat:
(a) a list of vessels actively fishing or engaged in transhipment in the SPRFMO Convention area; and
(b) monthly catch reports.
Section 6
IATTC Convention area
Article 37
Purse seine fisheries
Purse seine fishing vessels shall not fish for yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) or skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis):
For each of the fishing vessels referred to in paragraph 1 and flying the flag of a Member State, that flag Member State shall inform the Commission before 15 June 2026 which of the closure periods referred to in paragraph 1, point (a), the fishing vessel has selected.
Purse seine fishing vessels fishing for tuna in the IATTC Convention area shall retain on board and then tranship or land all yellowfin, bigeye and skipjack tuna that they catch.
Paragraph 3 shall not apply:
(a) where the fish is considered unfit for human consumption for reasons other than size; or
(b) during the final set of a trip, when there may be insufficient well space remaining to accommodate all the tuna caught in that set.
For each of the purse seine fishing vessels fishing in the IATTC Convention area and flying the flag of a Member State, that flag Member State shall transmit to the Commission by 1 February data on annual catches of bigeye tuna in the IATTC Convention area in the previous year. The Commission shall compile and promptly transmit that information to the IATTC Secretariat.
The closure periods referred to in paragraph 1 shall be extended for Union purse seine fishing vessels, on the basis of their catches of bigeye tuna in the IATTC Convention area during the previous year, as follows:
(a) for fishing vessels that caught between 1 200 tonnes and 1 499 tonnes, the closure period is extended by 10 days;
(b) for fishing vessels that caught between 1 500 tonnes and 1 799 tonnes, the closure period is extended by 13 days;
(c) for fishing vessels that caught between 1 800 tonnes and 2 099 tonnes, the closure period is extended by 16 days;
(d) for fishing vessels that caught between 2 100 tonnes and 2 399 tonnes, the closure period is extended by 19 days; and
(e) for fishing vessels that caught 2 400 tonnes or more, the closure period is extended by 22 days.
The extensions of the closure periods referred to in the paragraph 6 apply as follows:
(a) for the closure period referred to in paragraph 1, point (a), the additional days are added before the start of that closure period; and
(b) for the closure period referred to in paragraph 1, point (b), the additional days are added after the end of that closure period.
For each of the fishing vessels concerned, the relevant flag Member State shall inform the Commission of the extensions of the closure periods when informing the Commission of the selected closure periods pursuant to paragraph 2.
Article 38
Drifting FADs
A purse seine fishing vessel shall have no more than the number of FADs set out in the table below active at any time in the IATTC Convention area. A FAD shall be considered active when it is deployed at sea, starts transmitting its location and is being tracked by the fishing vessel, its owner or operator. A FAD shall be activated only on board a purse seine vessel.
During the 15 days before the start of the closure period selected in accordance with Article 37(1), point (a), of this Regulation a purse seine fishing vessel shall, in the IATTC Convention area:
(a) refrain from deploying FADs; and
(b) recover the same number of FADs as initially deployed.
Article 39
Catch limits for bigeye tuna in longline fisheries
The total annual catches of bigeye tuna in the IATTC Convention area by each Member State’s longline fishing vessels are set out in Annex IL.
Article 40
Records of releases of oceanic whitetip sharks
Fishing vessel operators shall record the number of releases of oceanic whitetip sharks (Carcharhinus longimanus) performed in accordance with Article 8(2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/56 of the European Parliament and of the Council (46), with indication of status (dead or alive) and report that information to the Member State of which they are nationals. Member States shall transmit that information collected during 2025 to the Commission by 31 January 2026.
Section 7
SEAFO Convention area
Article 41
Prohibition of directed fishing for deep-water sharks
Directed fishing for the following deep-water sharks in the SEAFO Convention area shall be prohibited:
(a) ghost catshark (Apristurus manis);
(b) blurred smooth lanternshark (Etmopterus bigelowi);
(c) shorttail lanternshark (Etmopterus brachyurus);
(d) great lanternshark (Etmopterus princeps);
(e) smooth lanternshark (Etmopterus pusillus);
(f) skates (Rajidae);
(g) velvet dogfish (Scymnodon squamulosus);
(h) sharks of the Selachimorpha super-order;
(i) picked dogfish (Squalus acanthias).
Section 8
WCPFC Convention area
Article 42
Measures for bigeye tuna, yellowfin tuna, skipjack tuna and South Pacific albacore fisheries
Member States shall ensure that no more than 403 fishing days are allocated to purse seine fishing vessels fishing for bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus), yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) and skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) in the high seas areas between 20° N and 20° S of the WCPFC Convention area.
Union fishing vessels shall not target South Pacific albacore (Thunnus alalunga) in the WCPFC Convention area south of 20° S.
The maximum number of Union purse seine fishing vessels authorised to fish for tropical tuna in the high seas areas between 20° N and 20° S of the WCPFC Convention area shall not exceed the limits set out in Annex IX, Table 2.
Article 43
Management of fishing with FADs
In the part of the WCPFC Convention area located between 20° N and 20° S, purse seine fishing vessels, tender vessels, and any other vessels operating in support of purse seine fishing vessels, shall not deploy, service or set nets on FADs between 00:00 hours on 1 July 2026 and 24:00 hours on 15 August 2026.
In addition to the prohibition set out in paragraph 1, it shall be prohibited to set nets on FADs on the high seas of the WCPFC Convention area located between 20° N and 20° S for one additional month, from 00:00 hours on 1 April 2026 to 24:00 hours on 30 April 2026, or from 00:00 hours on 1 May 2026 to 24:00 hours on 31 May 2026, or from 00:00 hours on 1 November 2026 to 24:00 hours on 30 November 2026, or from 00:00 hours on 1 December 2026 to 24:00 hours on 31 December 2026.
The Member States concerned shall jointly determine which of the closure periods referred to in paragraph 2 shall apply to purse seine fishing vessels flying their flag. The Member States shall jointly inform the Commission by 15 February 2026 of the closure period selected. The Commission shall notify the secretariat of the WCPFC of the joint closure period selected by Member States concerned before 1 March 2026.
Each Member State shall ensure that none of its purse seine fishing vessels deploy at sea, at any time, more than 350 FADs with activated instrumented buoys. Buoys shall be activated exclusively on board a purse seine fishing vessel.
Article 44
Maximum number of Union fishing vessels authorised to fish for swordfish
The maximum number of Union fishing vessels authorised to fish for swordfish (Xiphias gladius) in areas of the WCPFC Convention area south of 20° S shall be as set out in Annex IX.
Article 45
Catch limits for swordfish in longline fisheries south of 20° S
Member States shall ensure that catches of swordfish south of 20° S by longliners in 2026 do not exceed the limit set out in Table 2 of Annex IG. They shall also ensure that this does not result in a shift of the fishing effort for swordfish to the area north of 20° S.
Section 9
Bering Sea
Article 46
Prohibition on fishing for pollock in the high seas of the Bering Sea
It shall be prohibited to fish for pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) in the high seas of the Bering Sea.
Section 10
SIOFA Agreement Area
Article 47
Limits to bottom fishing
Member States shall ensure that fishing vessels flying their flag that fish in the SIOFA Agreement Area:
(a) limit their annual bottom fishing effort to the levels set out in Annex X;
(b) do not engage in bottom fishing except using demersal longlines;
(c) do not fish in the benthic fishery closures of Gulden Draak, Rusky, Fools-Flat, East Broken Ridge, Mid-Indian Ridge, Atlantis Bank, Bridle, Banana and Middle of What, as defined in Annex IK;
(d) do not fish in the benthic fishery closures of Walter’s Shoal, Coral and Magneto, as defined in Annex IK, except with demersal longlines and on condition of having a scientific observer on board at all times while fishing in those areas; and
(e) do not fish using demersal longlines in subarea 5, as defined in Annex IK.
Article 48
Toothfish fishery measures
Member States shall ensure that fishing vessels flying their flag that fish for toothfish (Dissostichus spp.) in the SIOFA Agreement Area:
(a) do not fish in depths shallower than 500 metres;
(b) have at least one scientific observer on board at all times with a target of observing 25 % of hooks hauled per line over the duration of the fishing deployment; and
(c) tag and release toothfish specimens at a rate of at least five fish per tonne of green weight caught; once 30 or more toothfish have been caught a minimum overlap statistic of at least 60 % shall apply for tag release.
Article 49
Prohibition of directed fishing for deep-water sharks
Directed fishing for the following deep-water sharks in the SIOFA Agreement Area shall be prohibited:
(a) Portuguese dogfish (Centroscymnus coelolepis), except in the context of the by-catch allowance as set out in Annex IK;
(b) birdbeak dogfish (Deania calceus);
(c) gulper shark (Centrophorus granulosus);
(d) kitefin shark (Dalatias licha);
(e) Bach’s catshark (Bythaelurus bachi);
(f) dark-mouth chimaera (Chimaera buccanigella);
(g) Falkor chimaera (Chimaera didierae);
(h) seafarer’s ghostshark (Chimaera willwatchi);
(i) longnose velvet dogfish (Centroselachus crepidater);
(j) largespine velvet dogfish (Scymnodon macracanthus);
(k) velvet dogfish (Zameus squamulosus);
(l) whitecheek lanternshark (Etmopterus alphus);
(m) smallbelly catshark (Apristurus indicus);
(n) Pacific longnose chimaera (Harriotta raleighana);
(o) narrowhead catshark (Bythaelurus tenuicephalus);
(p) frilled shark (Chlamydoselachus anguineus);
(q) bigeyed six-gill shark (Hexanchus nakamurai);
(r) smooth lanternshark (Etmopterus pusillus);
(s) southern sleeper shark (Somniosus antarcticus);
(t) goblin shark (Mitsukurina owstoni);
(u) blue-eye lanternshark (Etmopterus viator);
(v) blurred smooth lanternshark (Etmopterus bigelowi);
(w) leafscale gulper shark (Centrophorus squamosus);
(x) little gulper shark (Centrophorus uyato);
(y) shortspine spurdog (Squalus mitsukurii);
(z) longsnout dogfish (Deania quadrispinosa);
(za) arrowhead dogfish (Deania profundorum);
(zb) Cristina’s skate (Bathyraja tunae);
(zc) paddlenose chimaera (Rhinochimaera africana);
(zd) dusky snout catshark (Bythaelurus naylori).
Section 11
NPFC Convention area
Article 50
Chub mackerel fishery
For Union fishing vessels fishing in the NPFC Convention area, flag Member States shall transmit the following aggregated data to the Commission by the following dates:
(a) monthly catches under the catch limits for chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) for all NPFC Contracting Parties for trawlers and purse seiners respectively, as set out in Annex IM when utilisation of those catch limits is below 60 %, by the seventh day of the following month; and
(b) weekly catches of chub mackerel under the catch limits referred to in point (a) when utilisation of those catch limits is above 60 % and below 95 %, by Tuesday of the following week.
The Commission shall compile and promptly transmit that data to the NPFC Executive Secretary.
Within two days of the issue date of notifications of the NPFC Executive Secretary that the utilisation of the catch limits referred to in paragraph 1, point (a), has reached 95 %, the Commission shall close the fisheries under those catch limits.
The Commission shall compile and transmit annual catches of chub mackerel in the NPFC Convention area to the NPFC Executive Secretary by the end of February of the following year.
This Article shall apply in addition to the reporting obligations on catches set out in Article 33 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.
Article 51
Prohibition of fishing for sharks
Union fishing vessels fishing in the NPFC Convention area shall not fish for, retain on board, tranship or land sharks in the NPFC Convention area.
When accidentally caught, specimens of the species referred to in paragraph 1 shall not be harmed and shall be promptly released.
Article 52
Prohibition of fishing for anadromous fish
Union fishing vessels fishing in the NPFC Convention area shall not fish for, retain on board, tranship or land Chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta), Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), Pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha), Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), Cherry salmon (Oncorhynchus masou) and Steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).
When accidentally caught, specimens of the species referred to in paragraph 1 shall not be harmed and shall be promptly released.
TITLE III
FISHING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THIRD-COUNTRY FISHING VESSELS IN UNION WATERS
Article 53
Fishing vessels flying the flag of Norway or of the Faroe Islands
Fishing vessels flying the flag of Norway or of the Faroe Islands may be authorised by the Commission to fish in Union waters subject to the TACs set out in Annex I and subject to the conditions provided for in this Regulation and in Title III of Regulation (EU) 2017/2403 and delegated acts adopted by the Commission on the basis of that Regulation.
Article 54
Fishing vessels flying the flag of the United Kingdom, registered in the United Kingdom, the Bailiwick of Guernsey, the Bailiwick of Jersey or the Isle of Man, and licensed by a United Kingdom fisheries administration
Fishing vessels flying the flag of the United Kingdom, registered in the United Kingdom, the Bailiwick of Guernsey, the Bailiwick of Jersey or the Isle of Man, and licensed by a fisheries administration of the United Kingdom may be authorised by the Commission to fish in Union waters subject to the TACs set out in Annex I, and subject to the conditions provided for in this Regulation and in Regulation (EU) 2017/2403 and delegated acts adopted by the Commission on the basis of that Regulation.
Article 55
Quota transfers or exchanges with the United Kingdom
Any quota transfer or exchange between the Union and the United Kingdom shall take place in accordance with this Article.
A Member State intending to transfer or exchange quotas with the United Kingdom shall discuss with the United Kingdom an outline of the quota transfer or exchange. The Member State concerned shall notify the Commission of that outline.
If the Commission endorses an outline of the quota transfer or exchange referred to in paragraph 2 notified by the Member State concerned, it shall express, without undue delay, its consent to be bound by such quota transfer or exchange. The Commission shall notify the Member States and the United Kingdom of the agreed quota transfer or exchange.
The fishing opportunities received from or transferred to the United Kingdom under the agreed quota transfer or exchange shall be deemed to be quotas added to, or deducted from, the allocation of the Member State concerned as of the moment when the quota transfer or exchange has been notified in accordance with paragraph 3. Such transfers or exchanges shall not affect the distribution key for allocating fishing opportunities among Member States in accordance with the principle of relative stability of fishing activities.
Article 56
Fishing vessels flying the flag of Venezuela
Fishing vessels flying the flag of Venezuela shall be subject to the conditions provided for in this Regulation and in Title III of Regulation (EU) 2017/2403 and delegated acts adopted by the Commission on the basis of that Regulation.
Article 57
Fishing authorisations
The maximum number of fishing authorisations for third-country fishing vessels operating in Union waters shall be as set out in Part B of Annex V.
Article 58
Conditions for landing catches and by-catches
The conditions laid down in Article 7 shall apply to the catches and by-catches of third-country fishing vessels fishing under the fishing authorisations referred to in Article 57 of this Regulation, mutatis mutandis.
Article 59
Prohibited species
Third-country fishing vessels shall not fish for, retain on board, tranship or land the following species in Union waters:
(a) sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus) in all Union waters;
(b) starry ray (Amblyraja radiata) in Union waters of ICES divisions 3a and 7d, and Union waters of ICES subarea 4;
(c) common skate (Dipturus batis) complex (Dipturus cf. flossada and Dipturus cf. intermedia) in Union waters of ICES subareas 3, 4 and 6 to 10;
(d) tope shark (Galeorhinus galeus) when taken with longlines in Union waters of ICES subareas 4, 6, 7 and 8;
(e) orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) in Union waters of ICES subareas 3, 4 and 6 to 10;
(f) porbeagle (Lamna nasus) in all Union waters;
(g) thornback ray (Raja clavata) in Union waters of ICES division 3a;
(h) undulate ray (Raja undulata) in Union waters of ICES subareas 6 and 10;
(i) common guitarfish (Rhinobatos rhinobatos) in Union waters of the Mediterranean;
(j) whale shark (Rhincodon typus) in all Union waters; or
(k) deep-sea species listed in Part D of Annex IA in Union waters of ICES subareas 6 to 10 and CECAF areas 34.1.1, 34.1.2 and 34.2, as well as in Union waters of ICES subarea 4, where specified in that Annex.
When accidentally caught, specimens of the species referred to in paragraph 1 shall not be harmed and shall be promptly released.
TITLE IV
FINAL PROVISIONS
Article 60
Amendment to Regulation (EU) 2025/202
Regulation (EU) 2025/202, is amended as follows:
(1) in Article 19, the title is replaced by the following: ‘Article 19 Remedial measures for cod in the Kattegat in 2025’
Article 61
Committee procedure
The Commission shall be assisted by the Committee for Fisheries and Aquaculture established by Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013. That committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.
Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply.
Article 62
Entry into force and application
This Regulation shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
This Regulation shall apply from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026.
However:
(a) Article 13(1) shall apply from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026 or until the date on which a delegated act adopted in accordance with Article 15(2) of Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 and amending Part A of Annex VII to that Regulation regarding the minimum conservation reference size for pollack in ICES subareas 8, 9 and 10 and Union waters of CECAF area 34.1.1 becomes applicable, whichever is earlier;
(b) Article 14(1) to (8) shall apply from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027;
(c) Article 14(9) shall apply from 1 January 2026 to 31 March 2027;
(d) Articles 19 and 20 shall apply from 1 June 2026 to 31 December 2026;
(e) Article 21 shall apply from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027 or until the date on which a Commission Delegated Regulation amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2201 becomes applicable, whichever is earlier;
(f) Article 22 shall apply from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026 or until the date on which a delegated act adopted in accordance with Article 15(2) of Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 and amending Annex V of that Regulation regarding remedial measures for common sole in the Skagerrak, Kattegat and western Baltic Sea becomes applicable, whichever is earlier;
(g) Article 26 shall apply from 1 January 2026 to 31 January 2027;
(h) Article 29(2) shall apply from 1 January 2026 until 31 December 2026 or the date on which an amendment to Regulation (EU) 2017/2107 introducing a prohibition to retain on board, tranship or land any part or whole carcass of shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) in the Atlantic Ocean, north of 5°N, caught in fisheries in the ICCAT Convention area becomes applicable, whichever is earlier;
(i) Article 32 and Annex VII shall apply from 1 December 2025 to 30 November 2026;
(j) Article 37(1), point (a), shall apply from 1 January 2026 to 11 January 2027;
(k) Article 40(3) shall apply from 1 January 2026 until 31 December 2026 or the date on which an amendment to Regulation (EU) 2021/56 regarding the recording by fishing vessel operators of the number of releases of oceanic whitetip sharks within indication of status and the reporting of that information to the Member State of which they are nationals becomes applicable, whichever is earlier;
(l) Section 11 shall apply from 1 June 2026 to 31 May 2027 or until the date on which a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down corresponding measures becomes applicable;
(m) Annexes IA to IJ, and IL shall also apply in 2027 and 2028, where specified in those Annexes;
(n) Article 60(5) shall apply from 1 January 2025;
(o) Annex IK shall apply from 1 December 2025 to 30 November 2026, where specified in that Annex;
(p) Annexes IM and XI shall apply from 1 June 2026 to 31 May 2027;
(q) Annex II shall apply from 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2027;
By way of derogation from paragraph 2 of this Article, Articles 9 to 14, 16 to 23, 29, 40, 41, 46, 47, 49, 51, 52 and 59 shall continue to apply from the day after the application end dates set out in that paragraph until the entry into force of the Regulation fixing the fishing opportunities for 2027. This paragraph shall not apply where the application of the provisions referred to in paragraph 2 ends as a result of start of application of the legal acts referred to therein.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at Brussels, 26 January 2026
For the Council The President M. PANAYIOTOU
(1) 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).
(2) Regulation (EU) 2018/973 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2018 establishing a multiannual plan for demersal stocks in the North Sea and the fisheries exploiting those stocks, specifying details of the implementation of the landing obligation in the North Sea and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 676/2007 and (EC) No 1342/2008 (OJ L 179, 16.7.2018, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2018/973/oj).
(3) Regulation (EU) 2019/472 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 March 2019 establishing a multiannual plan for stocks fished in the Western Waters and adjacent waters, and for fisheries exploiting those stocks, amending Regulations (EU) 2016/1139 and (EU) 2018/973, and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 811/2004, (EC) No 2166/2005, (EC) No 388/2006, (EC) No 509/2007 and (EC) No 1300/2008 (OJ L 83, 25.3.2019, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2019/472/oj).
(4) Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2459 of 22 August 2023 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2018/973 of the European Parliament and of the Council by specifying details of the landing obligation for certain fisheries in the North Sea for the period 2024-2027 (OJ L, 2023/2459, 6.11.2023, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2023/2459/oj).
(5) Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2623 of 22 August 2023 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2019/472 of the European Parliament and of the Council by specifying details of the landing obligation for certain fisheries in Western Waters for the period 2024-2027 (OJ L, 2023/2623, 22.11.2023, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2023/2623/oj).
(6) Blim is the biomass below which there may be reduced reproductive capacity.
(7) MSY Btrigger is the biomass level below which management action is to be taken to allow a stock to rebuild above the level capable of producing MSY in the long term.
(8) ‘FMSY point value’ is the value of the estimated fishing mortality that with a given fishing pattern and under current average environmental conditions gives the long-term MSY.
(9) Council Regulation (EC) No 1100/2007 of 18 September 2007 establishing measures for the recovery of the stock of European eel (OJ L 248, 22.9.2007, p. 17, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2007/1100/oj).
(10) Council Regulation (EU) 2023/194 of 30 January 2023 fixing for 2023 the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks, applicable in Union waters and, for Union fishing vessels, in certain non-Union waters, as well as fixing for 2023 and 2024 such fishing opportunities for certain deep-sea fish stocks (OJ L 28, 31.1.2023, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/194/oj).
(11) Council Regulation (EU) 2024/257 of 10 January 2024 fixing for 2024, 2025 and 2026 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) 2023/194 (OJ L, 2024/257, 11.1.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/257/oj).
(12) Council Regulation (EU) 2025/202 of 30 January 2025 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, and amending Regulation (EU) 2024/257 as regards fishing opportunities for 2025 (OJ L, 2025/202, 31.1.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/202/oj).
(13) Council Regulation (EC) No 847/96 of 6 May 1996 introducing additional conditions for year-to-year management of TACs and quotas (OJ L 115, 9.5.1996, p. 3, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/1996/847/oj).
(14) 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).
(15) Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 establishing a Union control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy, amending Regulations (EC) No 847/96, (EC) No 2371/2002, (EC) No 811/2004, (EC) No 768/2005, (EC) No 2115/2005, (EC) No 2166/2005, (EC) No 388/2006, (EC) No 509/2007, (EC) No 676/2007, (EC) No 1098/2007, (EC) No 1300/2008, (EC) No 1342/2008 and repealing Regulations (EEC) No 2847/93, (EC) No 1627/94 and (EC) No 1966/2006 (OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2009/1224/oj).
(16) OJ L 149, 30.4.2021, p. 10, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_internation/2021/689(1)/oj.
(17) 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).
(18) 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).
(19) Council Decision 87/277/EEC of 18 May 1987 on the allocation of the catch possibilities for cod in the Spitsbergen and Bear Island area and in Division 3M as defined in the NAFO Convention (OJ L 135, 23.5.1987, p. 29, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/1987/277/oj).
(20) Council Decision (EU) 2015/1565 of 14 September 2015 on the approval, on behalf of the European Union, of the Declaration on the granting of fishing opportunities in EU waters to fishing vessels flying the flag of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in the exclusive economic zone off the coast of French Guiana (OJ L 244, 19.9.2015, p. 55, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2015/1565/oj).
(21) Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers (OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2011/182/oj).
(22) Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on the conservation of fisheries resources and the protection of marine ecosystems through technical measures, amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1967/2006, (EC) No 1224/2009 and Regulations (EU) No 1380/2013, (EU) 2016/1139, (EU) 2018/973, (EU) 2019/472 and (EU) 2019/1022 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 894/97, (EC) No 850/98, (EC) No 2549/2000, (EC) No 254/2002, (EC) No 812/2004 and (EC) No 2187/2005 (OJ L 198, 25.7.2019, p. 105, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2019/1241/oj).
(23) Regulation (EC) No 218/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2009 on the submission of nominal catch statistics by Member States fishing in the north-east Atlantic (OJ L 87, 31.3.2009, p. 70, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2009/218/oj).
(24) OJ L 252, 5.9.1981, p. 27, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/convention/1981/691/oj. The Union approved the CCAMLR Convention by Council Decision 81/691/EEC of 4 September 1981 on the conclusion of the Convention on the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources (OJ L 252, 5.9.1981, p. 26, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/1981/691/oj).
(25) Regulation (EC) No 216/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2009 on the submission of nominal catch statistics by Member States fishing in certain areas other than those of the North Atlantic (OJ L 87, 31.3.2009, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2009/216/oj).
(26) OJ L 224, 16.8.2006, p. 24, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/convention/2005/26/oj. The Union approved the Convention for the Strengthening of IATTC by Council Decision 2006/539/EC of 22 May 2006 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Community of 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 (OJ L 224, 16.8.2006, p. 22, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2006/539/oj).
(27) OJ L 162, 18.6.1986, p. 34, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/convention/1986/238(1)/oj. The Union acceded to the ICCAT by Council Decision 86/238/EEC of 9 June 1986 on the accession of the Community to the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, as amended by the Protocol annexed to the Final Act of the Conference of Plenipotentiaries of the States Parties to the Convention signed in Paris on 10 July 1984 (OJ L 162, 18.6.1986, p. 33, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/1986/238/oj).
(28) OJ L 236, 5.10.1995, p. 25, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_internation/1995/399/oj. The Union acceded to the IOTC by Council Decision 95/399/EC of 18 September 1995 on the accession of the Community to the Agreement for the establishment of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (OJ L 236, 5.10.1995, p. 24, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/1995/399/oj).
(29) OJ L 378, 30.12.1978, p. 2, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/convention/1978/3179/oj. The Union acceded the NAFO Convention by Council Regulation (EEC) No 3179/78 of 28 December 1978 concerning the conclusion by the European Economic Community of the Convention on Future Multilateral Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries (OJ L 378, 30.12.1978, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/1978/3179/oj).
(30) OJ L 55, 28.2.2022, p. 14. The Union acceded to the Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fisheries Resources in the North Pacific Ocean by Council Decision (EU) 2022/314 of 15 February 2022 on the accession of the European Union to the Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fisheries Resources in the North Pacific Ocean (OJ L 55, 28.2.2022, p. 12, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2022/314/oj).
(31) OJ L 234, 31.8.2002, p. 40, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/convention/2001/319/oj. The Union approved the SEAFO Convention by Council Decision 2002/738/EC of 22 July 2002 on the conclusion by the European Community of the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Fishery Resources in the South-East Atlantic Ocean (OJ L 234, 31.8.2002, p. 39, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2002/738/oj).
(32) OJ L 196, 18.7.2006, p. 15, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_internation/2006/496/oj. The Union approved the SIOFA by Council Decision 2008/780/EC of 29 September 2008 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Community, of the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (OJ L 268, 9.10.2008, p. 27, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2008/780/oj).
(33) OJ L 67, 6.3.2012, p. 3, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/convention/2012/130/oj. The Union approved the SPRFMO Convention by Council Decision 2012/130/EU of 3 October 2011 on the approval, on behalf of the European Union, of the Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fishery Resources in the South Pacific Ocean (OJ L 67, 6.3.2012, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2012/130(1)/oj).
(34) OJ L 32, 4.2.2005, p. 3, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/convention/2005/75/oj. The Union acceded to the WCPFC by Council Decision 2005/75/EC of 26 April 2004 on the accession of the Community to the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (OJ L 32, 4.2.2005, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2005/75(1)/oj).
(35) Regulation (EU) 2017/2403 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2017 on the sustainable management of external fishing fleets, and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1006/2008 (OJ L 347, 28.12.2017, p. 81, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2017/2403/oj).
(36) All types of demersal trawls (OTB, OTT, PTB, TBB, TBN, TBS and TB).
(37) All types of seines (SSC, SDN, SPR, SV, SB and SX).
(38) All long lines or pole and line or rod and line fisheries (LHP, LHM, LLD, LL, LTL, LX and LLS).
(39) All fixed gillnets and traps (GTR, GNS, GNC, FYK, FPN and FIX).
(40) Gear codes: OTB, OTT, OT, TBN, TBS, TB, TX, PTB, SDN, SSC, SX, LL, LLS.
(41) Commission Regulation (EU) No 724/2010 of 12 August 2010 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of real-time closures of certain fisheries in the North Sea and Skagerrak (OJ L 213, 13.8.2010, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2010/724/oj).
(42) Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2201 of 1 October 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 of the European Parliament and of the Council with detailed rules for the implementation of real-time closures for Northern prawn fisheries in the Skagerrak (OJ L 332, 23.12.2019, p. 3, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2019/2201/oj).
(43) Gear codes: GTR, GTN, GNS, GNC.
(44) 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).
(45) Council Regulation (EC) No 601/2004 of 22 March 2004 laying down certain control measures applicable to fishing activities in the area covered by the Convention on the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources and repealing Regulations (EEC) No 3943/90, (EC) No 66/98 and (EC) No 1721/1999 (OJ L 97, 1.4.2004, p. 16, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2004/601/oj).
(46) Regulation (EU) 2021/56 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 January 2021 laying down management, conservation and control measures applicable in the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Convention area and amending Council Regulation (EC) No 520/2007 (OJ L 24, 26.1.2021, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/56/oj).
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