Sustainable fishing in the EU: state of play and orientations for 2026

The European Association of Fish Producers Organisations (EAPO) expresses its satisfaction that the Commissions communication on sustainable fishing in the EU: state of play and orientations for 2026, begins by mentioning the improvement of the sustainability of European fisheries with more fish stocks fished at sustainable levels.

The situation in the Western Mediterranean shows sustained improvements, with a gradual increase in fishing stocks and a reduction in fishing mortality. For the Balearic Islands (GSA5), in all species assessed by SAC-GFCM (red shrimp, blue and white shrimp, Norway lobster, red mullet, octopus and thornback ray) with data from 2023, fishing mortality, with the exception of hake, was already lower than FMSY and…

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

Fishing in the Canary Islands faces many specific challenges due to its insularity, geographical dispersion and the uniqueness of its artisanal fleet. The sector identifies as the main weakness the lack of continuous scientific studies adapted to the local reality, which has an impact on the effectiveness of restrictions on minimum sizes, closures and quotas, often perceived as disproportionate or based on…

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As a reaction, the National Committee for Maritime Fisheries and Marins (CNPMEM) wishes to share its findings and proposals on the guidelines for sustainable fishing for 2026, through a contribution structured around the following four points: — Promote and encourage the continuous improvement of the exploitation of fishery resources by European fisheries; — Base fishing opportunities proposals with due regard for…

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SUD OOH welcomes the European Commission’s Communication. In this contribution, the Commission wishes to reiterate the continued commitment and determined action of its members to the development of sustainable and resilient fisheries in the Mediterranean, despite a complex macroeconomic and environmental context and adverse external factors.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

The Western Mediterranean Multiannual Plan for demersal species (WMMAP), implemented in Spain since 2020, has motivated long-needed management measures and supported a vision of more sustainable fisheries in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Shark Trust welcomes the chance to respond to this consultation regarding sustainable fishing in the EU. Elasmobranchs sharks, skates and rays are a complex and diverse subclass of Chondrichthyes, the cartilaginous fishes. Elasmobranchs represent over 1200 described species. Some seen as wildlife: e.g.

Sustainable fishing in the EU: state of play and orientations for 2026 Thai Union Group response to consultation Thai Union Group welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the European Commissions orientations for sustainable fishing in 2026. Fishing opportunities play a central role in achieving the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy and ensuring the long-term sustainability of EU fisheries management.

On behalf of 25 NGOs (Baltic Salmon Fund, Baltic Salmon Rivers Association, BalticWaters, BirdLife Europe, BlueMarineFoundation, Coalition Clean Baltic, ClientEarth, Danmarks Naturfredningsforening, Deutsche Stiftung Meeresschutz, DUH e.V., Ecologistas en Acción, FishSec, Irish Wildlife Trust, Marine Conservation Society, North Sea Foundation, Oceana, Sciaena, Seas At Risk, SFACT, SharkProject, SharkTrust, SUNCE…

The Catalan fisheries sector has been implementing measures for the recovery of fishing stocks decades ago. In fact, part of our fleet in the 1960s participated actively in the Experimental Plan for Southern Catalonia and Northern Valencia (GSA 6), in which novel technical measures were introduced.

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The initiative examines: the progress made to achieve healthy fish stocks balance between fishing capacity and fishing opportunities and the implementation of the landing obligation and the socio-economic performance of the EU fleet and progress in the social dimension of the Common Fisheries Policy.

Filed in Italian · English published by the European Commission

French and European fisheries have for more than ten years undertaken considerable efforts to reconcile sustainability, environmental performance and food supply. Yet, the European Commission’s current vision appears to be disconnected from the realities on the ground, ignoring socio-economic constraints, competition for maritime space and the effects of climate change.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

The situation in the Mediterranean Sea shows improvements in recent years, with a gradual increase in fishing stocks and a reduction in fishing mortality. The EURL values of the West-Med target species during the first five months of 2025 exceed the levels of previous years, indicating a recovery of the species.

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We are an independent grass roots movement in Sweden with the aim to have the Österlen area in southern Sweden approved by UNESCO as a biosphere area. In this region of Sweden, the Baltic Sea is a major part both in geographical terms but is also historically a main contributor to our economy, culture, and biology.

The situation in the Western Mediterranean shows sustained improvements, with a gradual increase in fishing stocks and a reduction in fishing mortality. For the Balearic Islands (GSA5), in all species assessed by SAC-GFCM (red shrimp, blue and white shrimp, Norway lobster, red mullet, octopus and thornback ray) with data from 2023, fishing mortality, with the exception of hake, was already lower than FMSY and…

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Cap the physical contact of bottom-towed gears with the seabed too (measured as swept-area/contact hours), allocate vessel-level seabed contact budgets". This flips to what actually harms benthic habitats. Penalize those with high-contact patterns and revamp the EU control regulation with remote electronic monitoring.

E work hard with the Coastfishers to save the herring in Bottom Sea. Fish lobby have influence our goverment and they aproove 4 Swedish and 6 Giant trawler for Bottom trawling + take all fish for animal food. Bottom sea close to "tip-over" I have files but only via mail [email removed]

Feedback on the EU Commission’s advice to the EU Parliament on fishing opportunities 2026 We are a Swedish partisan unbound grassroots movement along the Swedish Baltic coast. The Baltic Sea Call to Action now represents over 120 associations, organisations, businesses and private individuals a total of over 150.000 people, all of whom are deeply concerned about the development of the Baltic Sea.

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Hej, in the Baltic Sea, the area around the Gulf of Riga has been very successful in herring fishing, https://www.sverigesnatur.org/aktuellt/mysteriet-i-rigabukten/ this is something we should transfer to the Swedish coast, in addition to this, there should be a total stop to feed food for food, today only about 10 % of the Baltic herring becomes human food, unless the Baltic Sea is to become fully vegetated, we…

Filed in Swedish · English published by the European Commission

MEDAC advice Ref. 175/2025 (https://en.med-ac.eu/files/documentazione_pareri_lettere/2025/07/175_2025_medac_advice_fos_2026-1.pdf) The MEDAC is pleased that finally it is recognized that however, efforts must also be made to tackle pressures other than fisheries that are increasingly affecting fish stocks.

It should be borne in mind that the protection of certain marine species is essential for environmental respect. In particular, marine urchins are an endangered species, and octopus are sentient animals for which hunting causes them suffering. It would therefore be advisable to protect the 2 species by prohibiting fishing with penalties if this is done.

Filed in Italian · English published by the European Commission

Zu 1. Einführung Schon die Aufzählung der anderen Einflüsse auf die Fischbestände ist unvollständig. Es fehlen die Prädatoren wie Seehund und Kormoran deren Bestände sich in der Ostsee stark erhöht haben. Zu 2. Fortschritte beim Erreichen des höchstmöglichen Dauerertrags Auch die generelle Feststellung, dass mehr Fischbestände nachhaltig befischt werden und hier Fortschritte zu verzeichnen sind trifft für die Ostsee…

This submission from the Stockholm University Baltic Sea Centre focusses on conditions in the Baltic Sea. References may be found on our website https://www.su.se/stockholm-university-baltic-sea-centre/ . EELS The mismanagement of the European eel offers a clear illustration of the state of play of the common fisheries policy.