This Week in Fisheries — Brussels (#25, 2026)
Fishing opportunities amended in Council Regulation (EU) 2026/1547; new controls for Baltic harbour porpoise in Regulation (EU) 2026/450; sanitary survey rules for molluscs updated.
June 28, 2026 to July 04, 2026
Fishing opportunities amended in Council Regulation (EU) 2026/1547; new controls for Baltic harbour porpoise in Regulation (EU) 2026/450; sanitary survey rules for molluscs updated.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI): On July 06, the European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Amending Council Directive 98/58/EC and Directive 2009/128/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the simplification and strengthening of food and feed safety requirements, and repealing Council Directives 82/711/EEC and 85/572/EEC; Amending Regulations (EC) No 999/2001, (EC) No 1829/2003, (EC) No 1831/2003, (EC) No 852/2004, (EC) No 853/2004, (EC) No 396/2005, (EC) No 1099/2009, (EC) No 1107/2009, (EU) No 528/2012, (EU) 2017/625 as regards the simplification and strengthening of food and feed safety requirements; Chair’s announcements.
- Committee on Fisheries (PECH): On July 09, the European Parliament's Committee on Fisheries (PECH) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings; *** End of electronic vote ***.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Council Regulation (EU) 2026/1547 sets revised fishing opportunities for 2026–2028
Council Regulation (EU) 2026/1547 of 1 July 2026 amends Regulation (EU) 2026/249, fixing fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks for the years 2026, 2027 and 2028, and also amends Regulation (EU) 2025/2454 for the Baltic Sea. The regulation incorporates the latest scientific advice, outcomes from regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs) such as NEAFC, and bilateral consultations with Norway and the United Kingdom. Key amendments cover new TACs for stocks such as anchovy, Northern prawn, sprat, and bluefin tuna; deferrals in the application of remedial measures for certain stocks pending alignment with UK internal procedures; and the implementation of control measures for mackerel relating to Russian quota in the NEAFC area. The regulation applies retroactively from 1 January 2026 and seeks to maintain alignment with international agreements and ensure level playing fields for operators.
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/450 adds control measures for Baltic Proper harbour porpoise
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/450 of 27 February 2026 amends Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 to establish regionally coordinated measures for ensuring compliance with mitigation rules to reduce incidental catches of the Baltic Proper harbour porpoise. The measures, developed following a joint recommendation from BALTFISH and assessment by the STECF, tighten controls in specific areas by increasing vessel position data transmission to every 10 minutes during static net restrictions, applicable from 21 July 2027, and reinforce monitoring and enforcement in Natura 2000 sites. The rules reflect EC and Member State commitments to the conservation of the critically endangered Baltic Proper population.
Regulation (EU) 2026/1455 adjusts EU customs duties and tariff quotas for US-origin goods
Regulation (EU) 2026/1455 of the European Parliament and Council, adopted 25 June 2026, modifies EU customs duties and opens tariff quotas for select goods imported from the United States, as part of the reciprocal transatlantic trade arrangement arising from the Joint Statement of 21 August 2025. The act provides for 0% tariffs on specified industrial goods and tariff quotas for seafood and agricultural products, with safeguards in case of trade disruption or US non-compliance. Monitoring and reporting obligations are built in, and the regulation applies from 1 July 2026 to 31 December 2029.
Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1440 extends reduced tax on shore-side electricity for vessels in Germany
Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1440 authorises Germany to apply a reduced electricity taxation rate to vessels berthed in ports (excluding private pleasure craft) from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2029, under Directive 2003/96/EC, Article 19. The extension is designed to promote environmental benefits from shore power usage rather than on-board generation by fossil fuels. The authorisation will end if broader EU arrangements on energy taxation for ports are adopted in the period.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1406 amends sanitary survey requirements for bivalve mollusc areas
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1406 revises Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/627 by clarifying that sanitary surveys are only mandatory before classifying new production/relaying areas for live bivalve molluscs, or if monitoring data later indicate persistent material changes. The amendment is intended to make official controls more risk-based and reduces the burden in existing classified areas, provided no new significant contamination is identified.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1428 updates rules on imports of chitosan from China
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1428, adopted 1 July 2026, amends the Annex to Decision 2002/994/EC related to certain protective measures for animal-origin products imported from China. Chitosan, used in animal feed and previously not covered by the first derogation, is now included in the list allowing entry to the EU without a special health declaration from Chinese authorities, aligning its treatment with glucosamine. This follows deliberations regarding the substance's refining processes and equivalence for feed safety.
EU Council
Upcoming Agriculture and Fisheries Council to present Irish presidency's priorities
The Agriculture and Fisheries Council convenes on 13 July 2026, with the Irish presidency outlining main priorities, including discussions on the Commission’s livestock strategy, the protein plan, and trade-related agricultural issues.
Foreign Affairs Council to address Black Sea strategy and regional impacts
On 13 July 2026, the Foreign Affairs Council will review recent developments in Ukraine, the Middle East, and specifically discuss implementation of the Black Sea strategy.
EP Committee Work
DEVE Committee: Report on SDG implementation for 2026 UN HLPF
The Committee on Development (DEVE) released its report on the implementation and delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals in view of the 2026 High-Level Political Forum (rapporteur: Lukas Mandl). The document assesses progress toward SDGs in EU external action, with implications for maritime policy, fishing communities, and global ocean governance in line with Agenda 2030 commitments.
