#32026R0786Council Regulation (EU) 2026/786 amending fishing opportunities for 2026–2028
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This regulation amends Council Regulation (EU) 2026/249 by updating total allowable catches (TACs) and related technical measures for multiple fish stocks in EU waters and certain non-EU waters. It incorporates outcomes from bilateral consultations with the United Kingdom and Norway, decisions by RFMOs including ICCAT, IATTC, SPRFMO and NEAFC, and new scientific advice. Key updates include deferred application of remedial measures for cod, haddock, whiting, sole and plaice until 1 September 2026 to align with UK procedures, full-year 2026 quotas for mackerel based on the 49.29% joint EU-UK share, adjusted bluefin tuna farming capacity and quotas with carry-overs from 2025, revised closure periods for purse seine vessels in the IATTC area, and corrected scientific names for sole species. The changes apply retroactively from 1 January 2026 to prevent disruption to fishing activities.
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Key Changes
- Remedial measures for cod, haddock, whiting in Celtic/Irish Sea and sole/plaice in Channel deferred to 1 September 2026 pending UK internal procedures
- Mackerel TAC for 2026 set for full year using 49.29% joint EU-UK share after quota transfers
- Bluefin tuna effort limits, farming input/capacity and Member State quotas updated per approved 2026 ICCAT Union annual plan, including 2025 carry-overs up to 5%
+ 3 more changes with Pro
Obligations
What this law requires
Defer application of remedial measures for cod (Gadus morhua), haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), whiting (Merlangius merlangus), sole (Solea solea), and plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) in Celtic Sea, Irish Sea, and Channel until 1 September 2026, pending completion of United Kingdom's internal procedures.
Set total allowable catches (TACs) for sandeel (Ammodytes spp.) and associated by-catches in ICES subarea 4, division 2a, and division 3a at the levels agreed with the United Kingdom in bilateral consultations (documented 13 March 2026).
Set Union quotas for mackerel (Scomber scombrus) in the North-East Atlantic for the full year 2026 based on the joint EU-UK share of 49.29% of the TAC, applying quota transfers from Table B of Annex 36 to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
Set access levels for herring (Clupea harengus) and blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) in the North-East Atlantic at the levels agreed with Norway in bilateral consultations (documented 27 February 2026).
Set definitive Union quota for cod in Svalbard waters and international waters of ICES subarea 1 and division 2b for 2026 based on the reference TAC and the Union's historical share, allocated to Member States in accordance with Council Decision 87/277/EEC and Table E of Annex 36 to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.