Chapter I — Mediterranean Sea
European eel
1. This Article applies to the GFCM geographical subareas 1 to 27, to brackish waters and to freshwaters. Brackish waters include estuaries, coastal lagoons and transitional waters.
2. It shall be prohibited to engage in commercial fishing activities for European eel (Anguilla anguilla ) of an overall length of more than 12 cm, either as a targeted species or as incidental by-catch, for a period of at least six months in 2026. To that effect, each Member State concerned shall determine one or more closure periods subject to the following:
(a)
where appropriate, the closure period or periods may differ 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 either at least six consecutive months, or a total of six months in accordance with the conditions set out in paragraph 3; and
(c)
the closure period or periods shall be consistent with the conservation objectives set out in Council Regulation (EC) No 1100/2007 ( 8 ) , with national management plans in place and with the temporal migration patterns of European eel at the respective life stage in the Member State concerned.
3. The closure period shall be from 1 January to 31 March 2026, and an additional closure period of three months shall be established by each Member State concerned to take place between 1 April and 30 November 2026.
4. Commercial fishing activities for European eel of an overall length of less than 12 cm shall be authorised annually for a period of two months, and those fishing activities shall be monitored by a designated scientific institution which shall supervise data collection and analyses.
5. The maximum number of fishing authorisations and the maximum number of passive gears authorised to target European eel of an overall length of less than 12 cm for commercial purposes shall not exceed the levels set out in Annex I.
6. Recreational fisheries of European eel at all life stages shall be prohibited.
7. Each Member State concerned shall inform the Commission of:
(a)
the closure period or closure periods that it has determined in accordance with paragraphs 2 and 3 by 1 March 2026;
(b)
the national measures relating to the closure period or closure periods that it has determined in accordance with paragraphs 2 and 3, within two weeks of their adoption; and
(c)
the period authorised to fish for European eel of an overall length of less than 12 cm in accordance with paragraph 4, by 1 March 2026.
Red coral
1. This Article applies to all activities by Union fishing vessels harvesting red coral ( Corallium rubrum ) in the Mediterranean Sea.
2. For targeted fisheries, the maximum number of fishing authorisations and the maximum quantities of red coral stocks harvested by Union fishing vessels and Union harvesting activities shall not exceed the levels set out in Annex II.
Common dolphinfish
1. This Article applies to all commercial pelagic fishing activities by Union fishing vessels targeting common dolphinfish ( Coryphaena hippurus ) by using FADs in the Mediterranean Sea. It also applies to recreational fisheries of common dolphinfish in the Mediterranean Sea.
2. The maximum fleet capacity, expressed in number of vessels, kW and gross tonnage (GT), of Union fishing vessels authorised to fish for common dolphinfish is set out in Annex III.
3. The maximum number of FADs per vessel authorised to fish for common dolphinfish is set out in Annex III.
4. The maximum level of catches of common dolphinfish shall not exceed the levels set out in Annex III.
5. Recreational fisheries of common dolphinfish shall be allowed from 15 August to 31 December and the maximum number of catches shall be limited to 10 kg or five fish of any size per person per day.
Chapter II — Western Mediterranean Sea
Demersal stocks
1. This Article applies to all fishing activities by Union fishing vessels and other Union fishing activities catching demersal stocks referred to in Article 1(2) of Regulation (EU) 2019/1022 in the western Mediterranean Sea.
2. The maximum allowable fishing effort for trawlers and longliners is set out in Annex IV to this Regulation. Member States shall manage the maximum allowable fishing effort in accordance with Article 9 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1022 and Articles 26 to 34 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.
3. The maximum catch limits for deep-water shrimp in the Alboran Sea, Balearic Islands, Northern Spain and Gulf of Lion are set out in Annex IV.
4. The maximum catch limits for deep-water shrimp in Corsica Island, Ligurian Sea, Tyrrhenian Sea and Sardinia Island are set out in Annex IV.
5. The allocation of fishing opportunities among Member States as set out in Annex IV shall be without prejudice to:
(a)
exchanges made pursuant to Article 16(8) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013;
(b)
deductions and reallocations made pursuant to Article 37 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009;
(c)
additional landings allowed under Article 3 of Council Regulation (EC) No 847/96 ( 9 ) or under Article 15(9) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013;
(d)
quantities withheld in accordance with Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 or transferred under Article 15(9) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013;
(e)
deductions made pursuant to Articles 105, 106 and 107 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.
Compensation mechanism
1. For the fleet segment concerned, a Member State may adopt national legislation on a compensation mechanism in order to grant in 2026 to eligible vessels flying its flag an additional allocation of fishing days as provided for in paragraph 2 and calculated in accordance with paragraphs 7 and 8, provided that the vessel receiving the additional allocation fulfils one or more of the following conditions set at national level:
(a)
the vessel uses a trawl net with a square mesh codend of at least 45 mm when fishing in the continental shelf and upper slope;
(b)
the vessel uses a trawl net with a square mesh codend of at least 50 mm when fishing in the continental shelf and upper slope and in deep-waters;
(c)
the vessel’s activity is subject to a closure period prohibiting fishing activities for trawlers at depths between 100 m and 500 m for at least six consecutive weeks between February and September;
(d)
the vessel’s activity is subject to a closure period prohibiting fishing activities for trawlers in GFCM GSAs 8, 9, 10 and 11 for at least four consecutive weeks between March and October;
(e)
the vessel’s activity is subject to a closure period prohibiting fishing activities for trawlers in GFCM GSAs 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7 for at least four consecutive weeks between March and October;
(f)
at least 5 % of the vessel’s fishing grounds at depths between 100 m and 500 m fall within an area that is subject to a 12-month closure period prohibiting fishing activities;
(g)
the vessel’s fishing grounds fall within a temporary closure area established in order to reduce by at least 20 % catches of spawners of European hake;
(h)
the vessel’s fishing grounds fall within a temporary closure area established in order to reduce by at least 25 % catches of juvenile fish of all demersal species or by at least 20 % catches of spawners of all demersal species;
(i)
the vessel’s fishing grounds are subject to a permanent closure for fishing activity with trawlers fishing for blue and red shrimp and giant red shrimp in deep-waters at a depth below 600 m;
(j)
the vessel’s fishing grounds are subject to a permanent closure for fishing activity with trawlers fishing in deep-waters at a depth below 800 m;
(k)
the vessel uses a trawl with flying, mid-waters doors, low-contact otter boards or other doors which reduce the contact of the doors and the gear with the seabed, to preserve the essential fish habitats of the demersal species;
(l)
the vessel uses highly selective gear the technical specifications of which results in, according to a study by STECF, a reduction of at least 25 % of catches of juvenile fish of all demersal species or at least 20 % of spawners of all demersal species compared to 2020, such as a sorting grid with 20 mm spacing;
(m)
at least 10 % of the vessel’s fishing grounds at depths between 300 m and 600 m fall within an area that is subject to a permanent closure for fishing activity with trawlers fishing for Norway lobster in GFCM GSAs 6, 9 or 11;
(n)
the Member State concerned implements a permanent cessation of 5 % to 10 % of the fleet concerned or implements a permanent cessation of more than 10 % of the fleet concerned.
2. The allocation of additional fishing days referred to in paragraph 1 shall be calculated as follows:
(a)
if a vessel fulfils the condition set out in paragraph 1, point (a), a Member State may increase the allocation of fishing days by 9,3 %, unless:
—
the vessel concerned is implementing that measure before 1 May 2026, in which case the allocation of fishing days may be increased by 18,6 %,
—
the vessels that are implementing that measure before 1 May 2026 represent in total more than 40 % of the fleet of the Member State concerned in the EMU, in which case the allocation of fishing days may be increased by 25 %,
—
the measure applies to all vessels of the Member State concerned in the EMU before 1 May 2026, in which case the allocation of fishing days may be increased by 30 %, or
—
the vessel concerned has already implemented that measure in 2025 and continues to implement it in 2026 without interruption, in which case the allocation of fishing days for that vessel may be increased by 37 %; the percentages referred to in this point may not be cumulated;
(b)
if a vessel fulfils the condition set out in paragraph 1, point (b), a Member State may increase the allocation of fishing days by 15,4 %, unless:
—
the vessel concerned is implementing that measure before 1 May 2026, in which case the allocation of fishing days may be increased by 30,8 %,
—
vessels that are implementing that measure before 1 May 2026 represent in total more than 40 % of the fleet of the Member State concerned in the EMU, in which case the allocation of fishing days may be increased by 40 %,
—
the measure applies to all vessels of the Member State concerned in the EMU before 1 May 2026, in which case the allocation of fishing days may be increased by 50 %, or
—
the vessel concerned has already implemented that measure in 2025 and continues to implement it in 2026 without interruption, in which case the allocation of fishing days for that vessel may be increased by 55 %; the percentages referred to in this point may not be cumulated;
(c)
if the vessel’s activity is subject to the condition set out in paragraph 1, point (c), a Member State may increase the allocation of fishing days by 10 %, unless the vessel concerned has already been subject to that condition in 2025 and continues to be subject to it in 2026, in which case the allocation of fishing days for that vessel may be increased by 12 %; the percentages referred to in this point may not be cumulated;
(d)
if the vessel’s activity is subject to the condition set out in paragraph 1, point (d), a Member State may increase the allocation of fishing days by 15 %, unless the vessel concerned has already been subject to that condition in 2025 and continues to be subject to it in 2026, in which case the allocation of fishing days for that vessel may be increased by 18 %; if the closure is extended continuously for additional weeks, the allocation of fishing days of that vessel may be increased by 2 % for each additional week; the percentages referred to in this point may not be cumulated;
(e)
if the vessel’s activity is subject to the condition set out in paragraph 1, point (e), a Member State may increase the allocation of fishing days by 15 %, unless the vessel concerned has already been subject to that condition in 2025 and continues to be subject to it in 2026, in which case the allocation of fishing days for that vessel may be increased by 18 %; if the closure is extended continuously for additional weeks, the allocation of fishing days of that vessel may be increased by 2 % for each additional week; the percentages referred to in this point may not be cumulated;
(f)
if the vessel’s is subject to the condition set out in paragraph 1, point (f), a Member State may increase the allocation of fishing days by 4 %;
(g)
if the vessel’s activity is subject to the condition set out in paragraph 1, point (g), a Member State may increase the allocation of fishing days by 13 %, unless the vessel concerned has already been subject to that measure in 2025 and continues to be subject to it in 2026, in which case the allocation of fishing days for that vessel may be increased by 15 %; the percentages referred to in this point may not be cumulated;
(h)
if the vessel’s activity is subject to the condition set out in paragraph 1, point (h), a Member State may increase the allocation of fishing days by 3 %;
(i)
if the vessel’s activity is subject to the condition set out in paragraph 1, point (i), a Member State may increase the allocation of fishing days by 6 %;
(j)
if the vessel’s activity is subject to the condition set out in paragraph 1, point (j), a Member State may increase the allocation of fishing days by 3 %, which may be increased to 5 % if that measure was already implemented in 2025;
(k)
if a vessel fulfils the condition set out in paragraph 1, point (k), a Member State may increase the allocation of fishing days by 3 %;
(l)
if a vessel fulfils the condition set out in paragraph 1, point (l), a Member State may increase the allocation of fishing days by 3 %;
(m)
if the vessel’s activity is subject to the condition set out in paragraph 1, point (m), a Member State may increase the allocation of fishing days by 8 %;
(n)
if the vessel’s activity is subject to the condition set out in paragraph 1, point (n), a Member State may increase the allocation of fishing days by 15 %, unless a permanent cessation applies to more than 10 % of the fleet concerned, in which case the Member State may increase the allocation of fishing days by 30 %.
3. The Member State concerned shall submit to the Commission the draft national legislation relating to the selected conditions for the compensation mechanism referred to in paragraph 1 at least one month before its adoption.
4. The Member State concerned shall submit to the Commission the following information:
(a)
the list of vessels flying its flag that fulfil any of the conditions for compensation referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2; and
(b)
the related number of additional fishing days.
5. The notification of the additional allocation of fishing days shall be submitted to the Commission by 31 July 2026. If the Member State concerned submits to the Commission its notification of additional allocation of fishing days after 31 July 2026, the percentages specified in paragraph 2 shall be halved.
6. The Member State concerned shall separately submit every month to the Commission the effort deployed to be counted against the additional allocation referred to in paragraph 2, using the specific reporting codes designated for that purpose.
7. The Member State concerned shall calculate the additional allocation of fishing days on the basis of the baseline corresponding to the maximum allowable fishing effort fixed by Regulation (EU) 2024/259, proportionally to the relevant number of eligible vessels concerned by the conditions listed in paragraphs 1 and 2.
8. The Member State concerned shall not allocate additional fishing days that would result in the maximum allowable fishing effort set for the relevant fishing effort group in Regulation (EU) 2024/259, that is, Annex III and Article 8, being exceeded.
9. The Member State concerned shall enhance the monitoring, control and surveillance of fishing vessels referred to in this Article in order to ensure compliance with the eligibility conditions laid down in paragraph 1 and corresponding national measures.
10. The Member State concerned may transfer additional days allocated in accordance with this Article between vessels implementing the same conditions, provided that it applies a conversion factor which is supported by the best available scientific advice.
11. If the vessel concerned fulfils the conditions set out in paragraph 1, points (a) and (b), the number of additional fishing days allocated to that vessel pursuant to paragraph 2, points (a) and (b), may be cumulated.
Remedial measures for European hake in GFCM GSAs 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7 and Norway lobster in GFCM GSA 6
1. This Article applies to fishing activities by Union vessels catching European hake ( Merluccius merluccius ) in GFCM GSAs 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7 and Norway lobster ( Nephrops norvegicus ) in GFCM GSA 6.
2. The maximum catch limit of European hake for Union fishing vessels using gillnets and trammel nets (GNS, GTR, GND) in Union waters of the Western Mediterranean Sea is set out in Annex IV.
3. Member States shall adopt a minimum conservation reference size for Norway lobster of at least 25 mm carapace length (CL).
4. This Article shall not apply to 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 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 10 ) .
Remedial measures for European hake in GFCM GSAs 8, 9, 10 and 11 and Norway lobster in GFCM GSA 9 and 11
1. This Article applies to fishing activities by Union vessels catching European hake (Merluccius merluccius ) in GFCM GSAs 8, 9, 10 and 11 and Norway lobster ( Nephrops norvegicus ) in GFCM GSAs 9 and 11.
2. The maximum catch limit of European hake for Union fishing vessels using gillnets and trammel nets (GNS, GTR, GND) in Union waters of the Western Mediterranean Sea is set out in Annex IV.
3. It shall be prohibited to use otter-twin gear for trawlers fishing in GFCM GSAs 8, 9, 10 and 11.
4. Member States shall adopt a minimum conservation reference size for Norway lobster of at least 25 mm carapace length (CL).
5. This Article shall not apply to 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.
Data recording and transmission
1. Member States shall record and transmit the fishing effort data to the Commission in accordance with Articles 33 and 34 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 and Articles 146c, 146d and 146e of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 404/2011 ( 11 ) .
2. When Member States submit to the Commission data relating to fishing effort pursuant to Articles 33 and 34 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, they shall use the fishing effort group codes set out in Annex IV to this Regulation.
Chapter III — Adriatic Sea
Small pelagic stocks
1. This Article applies to all fishing activities by Union fishing vessels catching sardine ( Sardina pilchardus ) and anchovy ( Engraulis encrasicolus ) in the Adriatic Sea.
2. The maximum level of catches of sardine and anchovy shall not exceed the levels set out in Annex V.
3. The maximum fleet capacity, expressed in number of vessels, kW and GT, of Union fishing vessels authorised to fish small pelagic stocks is set out in Annex V.
4. Articles 3 and 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply where a Member State uses the year-to-year flexibility provided for in Article 15(9) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013.
Demersal stocks
1. This Article applies to all fishing activities by Union fishing vessels catching European hake ( Merluccius merluccius ), Norway lobster ( Nephrops norvegicus ), common sole ( Solea solea ), deep-water rose shrimp ( Parapenaeus longirostris ) and red mullet ( Mullus barbatus ) in the Adriatic Sea.
2. The maximum allowable fishing effort for those demersal stocks and the maximum fleet capacity within the scope of this Article is set out in Annex V.
3. Member States shall manage the maximum allowable effort in accordance with Articles 26 to 35 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.
Data transmission
When, pursuant to Articles 33 and 34 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, Member States submit data relating to landings and fishing effort to the Commission, they shall use the stock codes and fishing effort group codes set out in Annex V to this Regulation.
Chapter IV — Strait of Sicily
European hake and deep-water rose shrimp
1. This Article applies to all activities by Union fishing vessels and other Union fishing activities catching European hake ( Merluccius merluccius ) and deep-water rose shrimp ( Parapenaeus longirostris ) in the Strait of Sicily.
2. The maximum fleet capacity, expressed in number of vessels, kW and GT, of bottom trawl vessels authorised to fish for demersal stocks within the scope of this Article is set out in Annex VI.
3. The maximum allowable fishing effort for European hake (expressed in number of fishing days), for bottom otter-trawl vessels (OTB) targeting European hake is set out in Annex VI.
4. The maximum level of catches of deep-water rose shrimp shall not exceed the levels set out in Annex VI.
5. Member States shall manage the maximum allowable fishing effort in accordance with Articles 26 to 35 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.
Deep-water shrimps
1. This Article applies to all fishing activities by Union fishing vessels and other Union fishing activities catching giant red shrimp ( Aristaeomorpha foliacea ) and blue and red shrimp ( Aristeus antennatus ) in the Strait of Sicily.
2. The maximum fleet capacity, expressed in number of vessels, kW and GT, of bottom trawl vessels authorised to fish the demersal stocks within the scope of this Article is set out in Annex VI.
3. The maximum level of catches shall not exceed the levels set out in Annex VI.
Data transmission
When, pursuant to Articles 33 and 34 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, Member States submit data relating to landings of quantities of stocks caught to the Commission, they shall use the stock codes set out in Annex VI to this Regulation.
Chapter V — Ionian Sea and Levant Sea
Deep-water shrimps
1. This Article applies to all fishing activities by Union fishing vessels and other Union fishing activities catching giant red shrimp ( Aristaeomorpha foliacea ) and blue and red shrimp ( Aristeus antennatus ) in the Ionian Sea and in the Levant Sea.
2. The maximum fleet capacity, expressed in number of vessels, kW and GT, of bottom trawl vessels authorised to fish for demersal stocks within the scope of this Article is set out in Annex VII.
3. The maximum level of catches shall not exceed the levels set out in Annex VII.
Blackspot seabream
1. This Article applies to commercial and recreational fishing activities by Union fishing vessels catching blackspot seabream ( Pagellus bogaraveo ) with longlines and handlines in the Alboran Sea.
2. The maximum level of catches shall not exceed the levels set out in Annex VIII.
3. The maximum number of longliners and handliners authorised to fish for blackspot seabream is set out in Annex VIII.
4. A temporal closure shall be established with a view to protecting the key stock during spawning for periods of no less than 60 continuous days. Such closure shall last for at least two months and shall take place during the period from January to March 2026 and shall cover the key areas of distribution of blackspot seabream in the Alboran Sea.
5. Recreational fisheries for blackspot seabream shall be prohibited.
Sprat
1. This Article applies to all activities by Union fishing vessels and other Union fishing activities catching sprat ( Sprattus sprattus ) in the Black Sea.
2. The Union autonomous quota for sprat is set out in Annex IX.
3. Articles 3 and 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply where a Member State uses the year-to-year flexibility provided for in Article 15(9) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013.
Turbot
1. This Article applies to all activities by Union fishing vessels and other Union fishing activities catching turbot ( Scophthalmus maximus) in the Black Sea.
2. The TAC for turbot applicable in Union waters in the Black Sea, the allocation of such TAC among Member States and the conditions functionally linked thereto, where appropriate, are set out in Annex IX.
3. Articles 3 and 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply where a Member State uses the year-to-year flexibility provided for in Article 15(9) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013.
Management of fishing effort for turbot
Union fishing vessels authorised to fish for turbot within the scope of Article 21, irrespective of the vessels’ overall length, shall not exceed 180 fishing days per year.
Closure period for turbot
It shall be prohibited for Union fishing vessels to carry out any fishing activity for turbot, including transhipment, retaining on board, landing and first sale of turbot in Union waters in the Black Sea from 15 April to 15 June 2026.
Special provisions on allocations of fishing opportunities in the Black Sea
The allocation of fishing opportunities among Member States as set out in Annex IX to this Regulation shall be without prejudice to:
(a)
exchanges made pursuant to Article 16(8) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013;
(b)
deductions and reallocations made pursuant to Article 37 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009;
(c)
deductions made pursuant to Articles 105 and 107 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.
Data transmission
When, pursuant to Articles 33 and 34 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, Member States submit to the Commission data relating to landings of quantities of stocks of sprat and turbot caught in Union waters in the Black Sea, they shall use the stock codes set out in Annex IX to this Regulation.
Source: EUR-Lex (Publications Office of the EU), © European Union, reuse permitted under Commission Decision 2011/833/EU.
