Questions and Answers on the 2027 fishing opportunities in the Atlantic, Kattegat and Skagerrak

Why is the Commission proposing fishing opportunities for EU-managed fish stocks in the Atlantic and Skagerrak-Kattegat? 

Fishing opportunities, known as Total Allowable Catches (TACs), for EU-managed fish stocks are set annually by EU Member States, at the level of the Council of Ministers, following a proposal by the Commission. Those TACs are set for commercial fish stocks that are exploited by EU fishing vessels only (e.g. sole in the Bay of Biscay or hake in Iberian waters) and for certain stocks shared with the United Kingdom but managed by the EU (e.g. undulate ray in the Bay of Biscay).  

Under the common fisheries policy (CFP), EU Member States are legally bound to manage fish stocks in line with the Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY), i.e. the largest catch that can be fished over time without compromising the stock, and in line with the precautionary approach. This ensures that EU fishers continue to have healthy fish stocks to rely on. 

Where relevant, the CFP also aims to rebuild stocks which are below healthy levels. When setting TACs in mixed fisheries, EU Member States may also take account of socio-economic considerations, provided that the legal framework's conditions for doing so are met. 

After the decision by the Council, TACs are distributed into national quotas using established allocation keys. Quotas specify how much each EU country may catch and quotas can also be exchanged amongst them. 

How does the Commission proceed to establish its proposals for TACs for EU-managed stocks?  

Every year, the Commission requests scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), an international marine scientific organisation, on each fish stock. 

ICES conducts scientific assessments of fish stocks based on Maximum Sustainable Yield when there is sufficient data available and based on the precautionary approach when less data is available. The advice provided by ICES is independent and peer-reviewed.  

However, where advice is issued less frequently, multiannual TACs are proposed and set instead. In such cases, annual TACs covering the full advice period are established, typically for two to three years.

The Commission analyses the advice provided by ICES with a view to publishing its proposal, which is then discussed and ultimately adopted by the Council of Ministers for Fisheries in December.

What approach does the Commission follow for stocks with Maximum Sustainable Yield advice? 

For stocks assessed on the basis of maximum sustainable yield (MSY), the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) requires the EU to set total allowable catches (TACs) in line with MSY. This helps ensure that fish stocks can deliver the maximum sustainable long-term yield over time. For stocks covered by multiannual plans, TACs may, under certain conditions and provided that the stock biomass is in a healthy state, be set above the MSY point value, up to the upper limit of the MSY range defined by scientists.

Fishing at MSY delivers the maximum sustainable long-term yield. Fishing within the MSY range allows catches to be set slightly above or below the MSY point value while remaining consistent with the precautionary approach. Where appropriate, the MSY range also provides flexibility in setting TACs for mixed fisheries, which can help address particularly difficult short-term socio-economic situations.

In mixed fisheries, the critical state of certain stocks may lead ICES to advise zero or very low catches. In such cases, one or more fishing vessels may have to stop fishing, even where quota remains available for other species, potentially leading to the premature closure of fisheries. This can have serious short-term socio-economic consequences. To reduce this risk, the Commission may, where justified by the available evidence, propose by-catch TACs that help avoid premature fishery closures while ensuring stock conservation. Failure to conserve stocks would in turn lead to long-term environmental, social and economic harm, as well as short-term socio-economic impacts.

What progress has been made for EU-managed stocks throughout the years in relation to the CFP objectives and sustainability?  

Most EU-managed TACs are set for stocks occurring in the Bay of Biscay and Iberian waters. In these areas, EU fisheries continue to progress towards compliance with MSY targets as shown in the STECF 2026 Report on “Monitoring the performance of the CFP".  

At the same time, the Commission Communication “Sustainable fishing in the EU: state of play and orientations for 2027” outlined that despite decreasing fishing pressure and efforts made by the fishers, an increasing number of stocks do not appear to be showing biomass growth.

Why is the proposal also about fish stocks managed by RFMOs, with non-EU countries? 

The Commission also proposes fishing opportunities for certain stocks managed by Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs). Those align with the outcomes of annual meetings of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC), the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO), North Pacific Fisheries Commission (NPFC) and the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA). 

The fishing opportunities for other RFMO-managed stocks, shared with non-EU countries (in particular the UK and Norway) and stocks in non-EU countries' waters are marked ‘pm' (pro memoria) in the proposal. Once the RFMOs annual meetings have taken place and the consultations with non-EU countries are concluded the proposal will be updated by means of Commission services' non-papers. 

For more information

Commission proposes 2027 fishing opportunities for EU managed fish stocks in the Atlantic, Kattegat and Skagerrak 

Proposal for the 2027 fishing opportunities for EU managed fish stocks in the Atlantic, Kattegat and Skagerrak  

Fishing Quotas