Amendments to Regulation (EU) 2026/249
Regulation (EU) 2026/249 is amended as follows:
(1)
in Article 1(2), point (d) is replaced by the following:
‘(d)
fishing opportunities for the period from 1 June 2026 to 31 December 2026 in the North Pacific Fisheries Commission (NPFC) Convention area.’
;
(2)
in Article 4, the following points are inserted:
‘(qa)
“NEAFC (North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission) Convention area” means the geographical areas defined in the Convention on future multilateral cooperation in North-East Atlantic fisheries ( *1 ) ;
(qb)
“NEAFC Regulatory Area” means the waters of the NEAFC Convention Area that lie beyond the waters under the fisheries jurisdiction of the NEAFC Contracting Parties;
( *1 )
OJ L 227, 12.8.1981, p. 22 , ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/convention/1981/608/oj . The Union approved the Convention on future multilateral cooperation in North-East Atlantic fisheries by Council Decision 81/608/EEC of 13 July 1981 concerning the conclusion of the Convention on Future Multilateral Cooperation in the North-East Atlantic Fisheries ( OJ L 227, 12.8.1981, p. 21 , ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/1981/608/oj ).’;"
(3)
in Chapter III, the following section is inserted:
‘Section 1a
NEAFC Convention area
Article 26a
Management measures for mackerel
1. Union fishing vessels shall not tranship mackerel that was caught in directed fisheries by fishing vessels flying the flag of the Russian Federation in the NEAFC Regulatory Area in 2026 after the catches of those vessels have exceeded 1 495 tonnes collectively.
2. Union fishing vessels shall not provide refuelling or other support services to vessels that have on board mackerel that was caught in directed fisheries by fishing vessels flying the flag of the Russian Federation in the NEAFC Regulatory Area in 2026 after the catches of those vessels have exceeded 1 495 tonnes collectively.
3. In Union waters and ports, landings, transhipments and the provision of other port services shall be prohibited for vessels that have on board mackerel that was caught in directed fisheries by fishing vessels flying the flag of the Russian Federation in the NEAFC Regulatory Area in 2026 after the catches of those vessels have exceeded 1 495 tonnes collectively.’
;
(4)
Article 62(2) is amended as follows:
(a)
point (da) is replaced by the following:
‘(da)
Article 19(3) shall apply from 1 November 2026 to 31 December 2026;’
;
(b)
point (db) is replaced by the following:
‘(db)
Article 20 shall apply from 1 November 2026 to 31 December 2026;’
;
(c)
point (l) is replaced by the following:
‘(l)
Title II, Chapter III, Section 11, shall apply from 1 June 2026 to 31 December 2026 or until the date on which a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down corresponding measures becomes applicable, whichever is the earlier;’
;
(d)
the following point is inserted:
‘(ma)
Table 1 in Annex IC shall apply from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, and footnote 2 in that Table shall apply from 15 April 2027 to 30 June 2027 or until the date on which a Union act concerning the closure period for cod in NAFO divisions 2J3KL becomes applicable, whichever is the earlier;’
;
(e)
point (p) is replaced by the following:
‘(p)
Annexes IM and XI shall apply from 1 June 2026 to 31 December 2026;’
;
(5)
Annex IA, Parts A and B, and Annexes IB, IC, ID, IJ, IM and VI are amended in accordance with Annex I to this Regulation.
Amendment to Regulation (EU) 2025/2454
The Annex to Regulation (EU) 2025/2454 is amended in accordance with Annex II to this Regulation.
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 .
It shall apply from 1 January 2026.
ANNEX ISupplementary provisions
ANNEX I
Regulation (EU) 2026/249 is amended as follows:
(1)
Annex IA is amended as follows:
(a)
in Part A, Table 2(1) is replaced by the following:
‘Table 2(1)
Species:
Anchovy
Zone:
9W ( 1 ) and 10
Engraulis encrasicolus
(ANE/9WX10)
Spain
1 632
( 2 )
Analytical TAC
Portugal
14 691
( 2 )
Union
16 323
( 2 )
TAC
16 323
( 2 )
( 1 ) Part of subarea 9 west of the line connecting the following points:
Point
Latitude
Longitude
1
36 o 00′00′′N
11 o 00′00′′W
2
37 o 01′20′′N
8 o 59′47′′W
( 2 ) This quota may be fished only from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.’;
(b)
in Part B, Table 40, the text of footnote 2 is replaced by the following:
‘(2)
Special condition: up to 10 % of this quota may be transferred to ICES Division 3a. However, Member States shall notify such transfers in advance to the Commission.’;
(c)
in Part B, Table 77 is replaced by the following:
‘Table 77
Species:
Northern prawn
Zone:
3a
Pandalus borealis
(PRA/03A.)
Denmark
1 121
( 3 )
Analytical TAC
Article 3(2) and (3) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
Sweden
603
( 3 )
Union
1 724
( 3 )
TAC
3 228
( 3 )
( 3 ) This quota may only be fished from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.’;
(d)
in Part B, Tables 113 and 114 are replaced by the following:
‘Table 113
Species:
Sprat and associated by-catches
Zone:
3a
Sprattus sprattus
(SPR/03A.)
Denmark
10 156
( 4 )
( 5 )
( 6 )
Analytical TAC
Germany
21
( 4 )
( 5 )
( 6 )
Sweden
3 842
( 4 )
( 5 )
( 6 )
Union
14 019
( 4 )
( 5 )
( 6 )
TAC
pm
( 5 )
( 4 ) Up to 5 % of the quota may consist of by-catches of whiting and haddock (OTH/*03A.). By-catches of whiting and haddock counted against the quota pursuant to this provision and by-catches of species counted against the quota pursuant to Article 15(8) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 shall, together, not exceed 9 % of the quota.
( 5 ) This quota shall apply from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.
( 6 ) Transfers of this quota may be effected to United Kingdom and Union waters of 2a and 4. However, such transfers shall be notified in advance to the Commission and to the United Kingdom.
Table 114
Species:
Sprat and associated by-catches
Zone:
United Kingdom and Union waters of 4; United Kingdom waters of 2a
Sprattus sprattus
(SPR/2AC4-C)
Belgium
688
( 7 )
( 8 )
Analytical TAC
Denmark
54 491
( 7 )
( 8 )
Germany
688
( 7 )
( 8 )
France
688
( 7 )
( 8 )
Netherlands
688
( 7 )
( 8 )
Sweden
1 330
( 7 )
( 8 )
( 9 )
Union
58 573
( 7 )
( 8 )
Norway
6 508
( 7 )
Faroe Islands
0
( 7 )
( 10 )
United Kingdom
2 585
( 7 )
TAC
67 666
( 7 )
( 7 ) The quota shall apply from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.
( 8 ) Up to 2 % of the quota may consist of by-catches of whiting (OTH/*2AC4C). By-catches of whiting counted against the quota pursuant to this provision and by-catches of species counted against the quota pursuant to Article 15(8) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 shall, together, not exceed 9 % of the quota.
( 9 ) Including sandeels.
( 10 ) May contain up to 4 % of by-catch of herring.’;
(e)
in Part B, Table 115 is replaced by the following:
‘Table 115
Species:
Sprat
Zone:
7d and 7e
Sprattus sprattus
(SPR/7DE.)
Belgium
13
( 11 )
Analytical TAC
Denmark
860
( 11 )
Germany
13
( 11 )
France
185
( 11 )
Netherlands
185
( 11 )
Union
1 256
( 11 )
United Kingdom
6 592
( 11 )
TAC
7 848
( 11 )
( 11 ) The quota shall apply from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.’;
(2)
Annex IB is amended as follows:
(a)
Table 3 is replaced by the following:
‘Table 3
Species:
Cod
Zone:
Greenland waters of 2 and 12; Greenland waters of 5 and 14, south-west of 42 o W
Gadus morhua
(COD/GL251214)
Germany
2 050
( 12 )
Analytical TAC
Article 3(2) and (3) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
Union
2 050
( 12 )
TAC
Not relevant
( 12 ) May not be fished from 1 March to 31 May within the “Kleine Bank management area” bounded by the lines joining the following coordinates:
Point
Latitude
Longitude
1
65 o 00'N
38 o 00'W
2
65 o 00'N
35 o 15'W
3
64 o 00'N
35 o 15'W
4
64 o 00'N
38 o 00'W’;
(b)
the following table is inserted:
‘Table 3(1)
Species:
Cod
Zone:
Greenland waters of 5 and 14, north-east of 42 o W
Gadus morhua
(COD/GL51442)
Union
900
( 13 )
Analytical TAC
Article 3(2) and (3) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
TAC
Not relevant
( 13 )
( 13 ) May only be fished from 12 February 2026 to 31 December 2026 by vessels in the framework of the experimental fishery and conducting scientific sampling. That scientific sampling shall be carried under conditions to be determined by the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources. This quota shall be allocated equally among Germany, Estonia, Spain, France, Lithuania and Portugal, resulting in an allocation of 150 tonnes per Member State. That allocation applies only for that period and is without prejudice to any allocation of possible future Union quotas for cod in Greenland Waters in ICES subareas 5 and 14, north-east of 42 o W.’;
(c)
Table 4 is replaced by the following:
‘Table 4
Species:
Cod
Zone:
Svalbard waters; international waters of 1 and 2b
Gadus morhua
(COD/1/2B.)
Germany
1 507
( 14 )
( 15 )
Analytical TAC
Spain
3 897
( 14 )
( 15 )
France
643
( 14 )
( 15 )
Poland
709
( 14 )
( 15 )
Portugal
822
( 14 )
( 15 )
Others
84
( 14 )
( 15 )
( 16 )
Union
7 662
( 14 )
( 15 )
TAC
Not relevant
( 14 ) The allocation of the share of the cod stock available to the Union in the Spitzbergen and Bear Island zone and the associated by-catches of haddock are without prejudice to the rights and obligations deriving from the 1920 Treaty of Paris.
( 15 ) By-catches of haddock may represent up to 14 % per haul in the Spitzbergen and Bear Island zone. The by-catch quantities of haddock are in addition to the quota for cod.
( 16 ) Except Germany, Spain, France, Poland and Portugal. Catches to be counted against this shared quota shall be reported separately (COD/1/2B_AMS).’;
(d)
Table 9 is replaced by the following:
‘Table 9
Species:
Capelin
Zone:
Greenland waters of 2, 5, 12 and 14
Mallotus villosus
(CAP/GL251214)
Year
2026
2027
Denmark
0
( 18 )
0
( 19 )
Analytical TAC
Article 3(2) and (3) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
Germany
0
( 18 )
0
( 19 )
Sweden
0
( 18 )
0
( 19 )
All Member States
0
( 17 )
( 18 )
0
( 17 )
( 19 )
Union
0
( 18 )
0
( 19 )
Norway
0
( 18 )
0
( 19 )
TAC
Not relevant
( 18 )
Not relevant
( 19 )
( 17 ) Denmark, Germany and Sweden may access the “All Member States” quota only once they have exhausted their own quota. However, Member States with more than 10 % of the Union quota shall not access the “All Member States” quota at all. Catches to be counted against this shared quota shall be reported separately (CAP/GL251214_AMS).
( 18 ) This quota shall apply from 15 October 2025 to 15 April 2026.
( 19 ) This quota shall apply from 15 October 2026 to 15 April 2027.’;
(e)
Table 13 is replaced by the following:
‘Table 13
Species:
Northern prawn
Zone:
Greenland waters of 2, 5, 12 and 14
Pandalus borealis
(PRA/GL251214)
Denmark
8 500
Analytical TAC
Article 3(2) and (3) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply’;
France
8 500
Union
1 700
Norway
1 500
Faroe Islands
0
TAC
Not relevant
(3)
in Annex IC, Table 1 is replaced by the following:
‘Table 1
Species:
Cod
Zone:
NAFO 2J3KL
Gadus morhua
(COD/N2J3KL)
Bulgaria
0,004
( 20 )
( 21 )
Analytical TAC
Article 3(2) and (3) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
Germany
533,170
( 20 )
( 21 )
Estonia
95,036
( 20 )
( 21 )
Spain
492,963
( 20 )
( 21 )
France
76,732
( 20 )
( 21 )
Latvia
95,036
( 20 )
( 21 )
Lithuania
95,036
( 20 )
( 21 )
Poland
249,112
( 20 )
( 21 )
Portugal
769,752
( 20 )
( 21 )
Romania
7,109
( 20 )
( 21 )
Union
2 413,95
( 20 )
( 21 )
TAC
62 105,19
( 20 )
( 21 )
( 20 ) This quota shall apply from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.
( 21 ) No directed fisheries are permitted under this quota between 00:00 UTC 15 April 2027 and 23:59 UTC 30 June 2027. During this period, this species shall only be taken as by-catch within the following limits: a maximum of 1 250 kg or 5 %, whichever is greater.’;
(4)
Annex ID is amended as follows:
(a)
Table 7 is replaced by the following:
‘Table 7
Species:
Northern Albacore
Zone:
ICCAT Convention area, north of 5 o N, excluding Mediterranean
Thunnus alalunga
(ALB/ICAN05NXM)
Ireland
4 959,40
Analytical TAC
Article 3(2) and (3) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
Spain
27 953,00
France
8 791,67
Portugal
3 065,81
Union
44 769,88
( 22 )
( 23 )
United Kingdom
741
( 24 )
TAC
47 251,00
( 22 ) The number of Union fishing vessels fishing for Northern albacore as a target species shall be: 1 241 .
( 23 ) Special condition: Within the limit of this quota, no more than the following quantities may be taken in United Kingdom waters (ALB/*ICAN05NXM-UK):
Ireland
62,03
Spain
349,65
France
109,97
Portugal
38,35
Union
560,00
( 24 ) Special condition: Within the limit of this quota, no more than the following quantities may be taken in Union waters (ALB/*ICAN05NXM-EU): 560,00 ’;
(b)
Table 12(1) is replaced by the following:
‘Table 12(1)
Species:
Bluefin tuna
Zone:
ICCAT Convention area, east of 45 o W
Thunnus thynnus
(BFT/ICAE45W)
Cyprus
240,16
( 28 )
Analytical TAC
Article 3(2) and (3) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
Greece
480,79
Spain
8 352,55
( 26 )
( 28 )
France
8 067,21
( 26 )
( 27 )
( 28 )
Croatia
1 353,64
( 30 )
Italy
6 534,98
( 28 )
( 29 )
Malta
517,31
( 28 )
Portugal
858,28
Others
104,03
( 25 )
Union
26 508,95
( 26 )
( 27 )
( 28 )
( 29 )
( 30 )
TAC
48 403,00
( 25 )
( 25 ) Except Cyprus, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Malta and Portugal, and exclusively as by-catch. Catches to be counted against this shared quota shall be reported separately (BFT/ICAE45W_AMS).
( 26 ) Special condition: within this TAC, the following catch limits and allocation between Member States shall apply to catches of bluefin tuna between 8 kg/75 cm and 30 kg/115 cm by the vessels referred to in point 1 of Annex VI (BFT/*E45W8301):
Spain
1 267,03
France
588,60
Union
1 855,63
( 27 ) Special condition: within this TAC, the following catch limits and allocation between Member States shall apply to catches of bluefin tuna weighing no less than 6,4 kg or measuring no less than 70 cm by the vessels referred to in point 1 of Annex VI (BFT/*E45W641):
France
100,00
Union
100,00
( 28 ) Special condition: within this TAC, the following catch limits and allocations between Member States shall apply to catches of bluefin tuna between 8 kg/75 cm and 30 kg/115 cm by the vessels referred to in point 2 of Annex VI (BFT/*E45W641):
Spain
167,05
France
322,69 ( *29 )
Italy
130,70
Cyprus
4,80
Malta
10,35
Union
635,59
( *29 ) Of which 50 % may only be fished in the Gulf of Lion.
( 29 ) Special condition: within this TAC, the following catch limits and allocations between Member States shall apply to catches of bluefin tuna between 8 kg/75 cm and 30 kg/115 cm by the vessels referred to in point 3 of Annex VI (BFT/*E45W643):
Italy
130,70
Union
130,70
( 30 ) Special condition: within this TAC, the following catch limits and allocations between Member States shall apply to catches of bluefin tuna between 8 kg/75 cm and 30 kg/115 cm by the vessels referred to in point 3 of Annex VI for farming purposes (BFT/*E45W8303F):
Croatia
1 218,28
Union
1 218,28 ’;
(5)
in Annex IJ, Table 1 is replaced by the following:
‘Table 1
Species:
Skipjack tuna
Zone:
IOTC Area of Competence
Katsuwonus pelamis
(SKJ/IOTC)
Spain
87 407
Analytical TAC
Article 3(2) and (3) of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply’;
France
38 061
Italy
3 656
Union
129 124
TAC
Not relevant
(6)
Annex IM is replaced by the following:
‘ANNEX IM
NPFC CONVENTION AREA
Table 1
Species:
Chub mackerel and blue mackerel
Scomber japonicus and Scomber australasicus
Zone:
NPFC Convention area
Union
5 560
( 31 )
( 33 )
( 34 )
( 35 )
Precautionary TAC
Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 847/96 shall not apply
NPFC Contracting Parties, including Union
47 940
( 31 )
( 32 )
( 33 )
( 34 )
TAC
Not relevant
( 31 ) May only be fished from 1 June 2026 to 31 December 2026.
( 32 ) Special condition: under this catch limit no more than the quantities given below may be taken by the following vessels:
Trawlers ( *3 )
(M/M/NPFC-TR)
Purse seiners ( *3 )
(M/M/NPFC-PS)
5 703
42 237
( *3 ) The fisheries under those catch limits will be closed by NPFC Contracting Parties, including for the Union by the Commission, within two days from the issue date of the notice of the NPFC Executive Secretary that the utilisation of those catch limits has reached 95 %.
( 33 ) Only one trawler flying the flag of a Member State shall be authorised to fish for chub mackerel and blue mackerel at any time. That applies without prejudice to any allocation of future fishing opportunities by the Union in the NPFC Convention area, in particular to the Member State authorised to fish in the period from 1 June 2026 to 31 December 2026.
( 34 ) Union fishing vessels over 10 000 gross tonnage shall not be authorised to fish for chub mackerel.
( 35 ) Catches under this quota shall be reported separately (M/M/NPFC-EU).’;
(7)
in Annex VI, point 6 is replaced by the following:
‘6.
Maximum number of authorised farms and maximum input of wild-caught bluefin tuna that each Member State may allocate to its farms in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean
Maximum number of authorised farms and input of wild-caught bluefin tuna
Number of farms
Input (in tonnes)
Greece
0
0
Spain
8
10 550
Croatia
4
2 947
Italy
0
0
Cyprus
0
0
Malta
5
12 300
Portugal
2
626’;
ANNEX IISupplementary provisions
ANNEX II
In the Annex to Regulation (EU) 2025/2454, Table 1 is replaced by the following:
‘Table 1
Species:
Herring
Zone:
Subdivisions 30-31
Clupea harengus
(HER/30/31.)
Finland
45 805
Analytical TAC’.
Sweden
10 064
Union
55 869
TAC
55 869
