Fisheries

The EU sets limits on how many fish can be caught to safeguard fishing resources. This is crucial for a viable EU fishing sector. Catch limits are defined every year for over 200 commercial species in line with independent scientific advice. 

In addition, the EU adopts multiannual plans for specific sea areas to ensure long-term conservation. Measures to tackle illegal fishing also help limit damage to marine ecosystems.

Setting fishing quotas among EU countries

The Council plays an important role in setting catch limits (‘total allowable catches’ or ‘TACs’) and national quotas for EU fish stocks, since this is an area where it has sole responsibility for adopting the legislation.

1. Consultation and proposal: the Commission presents a proposal for catch limits based on scientific advice.
2. Negotiations: representatives of EU countries analyse and discuss the proposal in the Council’s Working Party on Fisheries Policy.
3. Agreement: ministers of the EU countries agree on the catch limits and quotas within the Agriculture and Fisheries Council.
4. Adoption: the agreement is formally adopted by the Council and becomes law.

• How fishing catch limits and quotas are set

Overfishing down compared to 20 years ago

Thanks to fisheries policy and its measures to make fishing more sustainable, fish stocks are recovering. In 2003, seven in every ten stocks were overfished, whereas in 2022 overfishing affected only three in ten stocks. This is a 40 percentage point decrease in overfishing in about 20 years.

While this data shows the positive impact of EU rules on the health of fish stocks, overfishing remains a challenge. The status of fish stocks in the Mediterranean, Black and Baltic seas in particular remains critical and requires further action.