This Week in Fisheries — Brussels (#26, 2026)
New fisheries rules for Mediterranean; Protocol with São Tomé and Príncipe ratified; Shipping emissions registry corrected; ENVI, PECH discuss funding and equal standards.
July 05, 2026 to July 11, 2026
New fisheries rules for Mediterranean; Protocol with São Tomé and Príncipe ratified; Shipping emissions registry corrected; ENVI, PECH discuss funding and equal standards.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Agriculture and Fisheries Council: On July 13, the EU Council's Agriculture and Fisheries Council configuration is scheduled to hold an ministerial meeting in Brussels.
- Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI): On July 13, the European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Amending Regulation (EU) 2018/848 as regards certain production, labelling and certification rules and certain rules on trade with third countries; Chair’s announcements.
- Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI): On July 13, the European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings; Establishing the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for the period 2028-2034.
- Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI): On July 14, the European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Amending Regulation (EU) 2018/848 as regards certain production, labelling and certification rules and certain rules on trade with third countries; Chair’s announcements.
- Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI): On July 14, the European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings; Establishing the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for the period 2028-2034.
- Committee on Fisheries (PECH): On July 15, the European Parliament's Committee on Fisheries (PECH) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Chair’s announcements; Coordinators’ meeting.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/921: Mediterranean Fisheries Obligations
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/921, adopted on 29 April 2026 and published on 6 July 2026, implements Union international obligations as outlined in Article 15(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013. This regulation introduces derogations to the landing obligation for Union vessels fishing piked dogfish below 90 cm and turbot below 45 cm in the Black Sea, reflecting General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) Recommendations GFCM/44/2021/10 and GFCM/47/2024/8. The regulation is directly applicable in all Member States from 1 January 2027 until 31 December 2028.
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1548: Fisheries Partnership with São Tomé and Príncipe
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1548 dated 8 June 2026 authorises the implementation of the Protocol for the Fisheries Partnership Agreement with the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe for 2025–2029. The Protocol, signed on 6 October 2025, allows Union vessels to fish in São Tomé and Príncipe’s zone and supports responsible resource exploitation and decent working conditions. Amendments to the Protocol can be approved by the Commission with Council-established positions and procedures. The European Data Protection Supervisor provided input for the decision.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1453: Correction of Shipping Registry
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1453, adopted on 2 July 2026 and published on 10 July 2026, corrects Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/411 regarding the registry of shipping companies and their administering authorities under Directive 2003/87/EC. Updates affect four shipping company attributions and twenty-one IMO numbers. These corrections ensure consistency in identification and apply in relation to emissions trading requirements.
EU Council
Upcoming Agriculture and Fisheries Council: Irish Presidency Priorities
On 13 July 2026, the Agriculture and Fisheries Council will convene to hear the Irish presidency’s work programme and priorities, followed by a ministerial exchange on the Commission’s livestock strategy, protein plan, trade-related issues, and women in agriculture.
Foreign Affairs Council: Black Sea Strategy Implementation
The Foreign Affairs Council, meeting 13 July 2026, will discuss Russia’s war against Ukraine, regional security, and the implementation of the EU Black Sea strategy in its current agenda.
EP Committee Work
PECH Committee Adopts Report on Equal Standards for EU and Non-EU Fishers
On 9 July 2026, the Committee on Fisheries (PECH) adopted its report addressing equal socio-economic and environmental criteria for both EU and non-EU fishers. The report advocates reinforced import controls, harmonisation of customs sanctions, and use of the CATCH IT system to tackle illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Recommendations include level playing field provisions in fisheries partnership and trade agreements, improved traceability, streamlined licensing for aquaculture, better working conditions for fishers, and simplified access to EU funds in the 2028–2034 multiannual financial framework.
ENVI Committee Opinion on Fisheries Policy Support Fund
The Committee on Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI), with rapporteur Pierfrancesco Maran, issued its opinion on 7 July 2026 for the proposal governing Union support to the Common Fisheries Policy, European Ocean Pact, and maritime aquaculture policy under the National and Regional Partnership Fund for 2028–2034. The draft opinion outlines conditions for implementation and funding.
PECH Committee Extraordinary Meeting: Current Fisheries Policy
The Committee on Fisheries held an extraordinary meeting in Strasbourg on 9 July 2026, focusing on ongoing fisheries policy and aquaculture developments. The session included discussion on sectoral legislation and upcoming priorities.
