Ministers follow ICES advice in setting Baltic TACs for 2026

On the 28th of October 2025, the Council reached an agreement on the total allowable catch (TAC) for Baltic stocks in 2026.

You can find the table from the press release and a summary below:

• The TAC for sprat has been set at 201,975 tonnes, which is a 45% increase on the 2025 TAC and is in line with the scientific advice of ICES.
• The catch limit for central Baltic herring has increased by 15%, reaching 96,463 tonnes. The Council also agreed to the Commission’s proposal for a three-month spawning closure.
• Ministers agreed to reduce the TAC for Gulf of Riga herring by 17% compared to 2025, setting it at 34,367 tonnes.
• The catch limit for Western Baltic herring remains unchanged at 788 tonnes (by-catch only).

The Bothnian herring catch has been set at 39,108 tonnes, which is a 40% decrease compared to this year. A preliminary TAC has been set until 31 October 2025, including remedial measures. The Council also agreed to the Commission’s proposal for a three-month spawning closure.

We are pleased to see a strong majority of EU Member States standing guard on ICES advice and securing fishing opportunities for 2026 anchored in the best available science and the agreed management principles that govern EU fisheries.

Beyond the Baltic, the Council also decided on fishing opportunities for Norway pout in the North Sea. Following consultations with the UK, delegations agreed to keep the same TAC of 400 tonnes for by-catches only.

See also the press release from the Council here: Council – Baltic TAC for 2026 – table