Overview
Almost all important stocks and fisheries are managed by means of multiannual plans, which contain goals for fish stock management. Some plans
- contain a detailed and tailor-made roadmap for achieving objectives (e.g. MSY)
- include fishing effort restrictions
- contain specific control rules and technical measures
Multiannual plans also contain measures for implementing the landing obligation, safeguards for remedial action and review clauses.
Regionalisation
Regionalisation allows EU countries to submit, through joint recommendations, detailed measures under specific management instruments.
The common fisheries policy (CFP) foresees regionalisation for a number of instruments
- multiannual plans
- discard plans
- establishment of fish stock recovery areas
- conservation measures for compliance with EU environmental laws
- technical measures
In order to ensure that joint recommendations reflect the stakeholders’ views, EU countries first consult the relevant Advisory Councils.
Law
Regulations establishing multiannual plans
Cod, herring and sprat stocks in the Baltic Sea
Demersal stocks in the North Sea
Demersal stocks in western Mediterranean Sea
Stocks fished in western waters
Reports
First report on the implementation of the multiannual plans for the North Sea and Western Waters
Other legislation
Regulation: establishing specific conditions for fishing in the north-east Atlantic
Regulation: conservation of fish stocks in non-sustainable fishing
Regulation: establishing measures for the recovery of European eel
Regulation: multiannual recovery plan for bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean
News
In 2025, the EU exported 2.7 thousand tonnes of shark fins to countries outside the EU, worth €44.8 million. Compared with 2024, the export volume decreased by 15.2% (from 3.1 thousand tonnes), and the export value dropped by 31.3% (from €65.3 million).
Today, the Commission published its annual communication on the state of EU fisheries, taking stock of progress towards sustainable fishing and setting the course for the upcoming cycle of fishing opportunities for 2027.
The European Commission is seeking feedback on fisheries Multiannual Management Plans (MAPs) across the EU’s sea basins. The call for evidence is open for a four-week period on the Commission’s Have Your Say portal.