EUROPEAN COMMISSION
DAILY NEWS
Brussels, 24 August 2026
Commission proposes fishing opportunities for 2027 in the Baltic Sea
Today, the Commission adopted its proposal for the 2027 fishing opportunities for the Baltic Sea. The proposal sets the total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas for the ten EU-managed fish stocks in the Baltic Sea: Bothnian herring, central Baltic herring, Gulf of Riga herring, sprat, plaice, Main Basin salmon, Gulf of Finland salmon, western Baltic cod, eastern Baltic cod, and western Baltic herring.
It responds to scientific assessments that highlight the critical state of several fisheries and allows for continuing the rebuilding trajectories for relevant stocks.
The Commission proposes to increase fishing opportunities for Bothnian herring (+3%), central Baltic herring (+49%), Gulf of Riga herring (+11%) and sprat (+44%). Catches of plaice, salmon in the Main basin and in the Gulf of Finland would remain unchanged compared to this year. In addition, based on the latest reporting by Member States, the Commission proposes to reduce the allocations of unavoidable by-catches – fish unwantedly caught by fishers - of western Baltic cod (-88%), eastern Baltic cod (-51%) and western Baltic herring (-45%).
These proposed TACs are based on the best available scientific advice from the International Council on the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) and follow the Baltic Sea multiannual management plan adopted in 2016 by the European Parliament and the Council.
Cod
For eastern Baltic cod, the Commission has proposed to keep a catch limit for unavoidable by-catches and all the accompanying measures in place already for several years. However, since the stock continues to be in bad condition, the by-catch limit should be adjusted, based on the number of by-catches reported by each Member State in 2025. Despite the measures taken since 2019, when scientists first warned about the poor status of cod, the situation has not improved.
The situation is similar for western Baltic cod. The Commission therefore proposes to adjust the by-catch TAC to address a deteriorated condition of the stock, and to keep all the accompanying measures.
Herring
The stock size of western Baltic herring remains significantly below minimum levels. The Commission proposes removing the exemption for small-scale coastal fisheries and adjusting the TAC to unavoidable by-catches only.
The stock size of Bothnian herring is larger than previously estimated but still below sustainable levels. With the maximum catch levels contained in the ICES advice, the stock size would continue to decrease. In order to continue the rebuilding trajectory, the Commission proposes a TAC level which keeps the fishing mortality rate stable and increases the stock size. The Commission also proposes to keep the three-month spawning closure – restricting fishing during reproduction periods - in shallow coastal waters.
The stock size of central Baltic herring has increased but remains below sustainable levels. ICES forecasts a positive stock development due to high estimated recruitment. In order to continue the rebuilding trajectory, the Commission proposes a cautious approach and to set the TAC at the level which keeps the fishing mortality rate stable. In addition, the Commission proposes to keep the three-month spawning closure in shallow coastal waters.
Herring in the Gulf of Riga is healthy, and the Commission proposes to set the catch limits according to the maximum advised by ICES.
Plaice
Scientific advice recommends a slight increase, but the Commission proposes to keep the TAC unchanged due to the bad condition of individual fish. In addition, new measures for flatfish fisheries, including plaice, entered into force last year. These measures will help improve the sustainability of flatfish fishing, notably by reducing unwanted cod by-catches – which still occur frequently.
Sprat
After several difficult years the size of the sprat stock has increased significantly due to recent very high reproduction rates. ICES estimates that the stock will continue to increase. The Commission therefore proposes setting the TAC at the advised maximum and to discontinue the three-month spawning closure.
Salmon
ICES did not publish a new advice for 2027. The Commission therefore proposes to maintain the (by-catch) TAC levels and the accompanying conditions for the two salmon TACs, with the exception of recreational fishing on reared salmon which should stop.
Next steps
Based on these proposals, EU countries will take a final decision to determine the maximum quantities of the most important commercial fish species that can be caught in the Baltic Sea. The Council will examine the Commission's proposal in view of reaching a political agreement during its meeting on 26-27 October 2026. The formal adoption by the Council will follow later in the course of November.
Background
The fishing opportunities proposal is part of the European Union's approach to adjust the levels of fishing to long-term sustainability targets, called maximum sustainable yield (MSY), as agreed by the European Parliament and the Council in the Common Fisheries Policy. The Commission's proposal is also in line with the Multiannual Plan for the management of cod, herring and sprat in the Baltic Sea and with the policy intentions expressed in the Commission's Communication “Sustainable fishing in the EU: state of play and orientations for 2027".
The current situation is difficult for fishers as stocks are subject to various pressures which have led to the degradation of the Baltic Sea's biodiversity, such as high nutrient inputs and persistently high levels of contaminants. These stressors, in part, stem from failures to implement EU legislation. Furthermore, the scientific advice also recognises the impact of misreporting of fishing, without being able to quantify it. Misreporting potentially leads to hidden overfishing.
The Baltic Sea is the most polluted sea in Europe. It is affected by biodiversity loss, climate change, eutrophication, past and probably current hidden overfishing, and elevated levels of contaminants such as pharmaceuticals and litter. Concerned about this dire situation, the European Commission organised several editions of the Our Baltic Conferences in 2020, 2023 and 2025 to bring together Ministers from the eight EU countries surrounding the Baltic Sea (Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Finland and Sweden).
For more information
Questions and answers
Proposal fishing opportunities Baltic Sea 2027
Table: Overview of TAC changes 2026-2027 (figures in tones except for salmon, which is in number of pieces)
2026
2027
Stocks and ICES fishing zones; subdivision
Council agreement (in tonnes & % change from 2025 TAC)
Commission proposal (in tonnes & % change from 2026 TAC)
Western Cod 22-24
266 (0%)
31 (-88%)
Eastern Cod 25-32
430 (0%)
211 (-51%)
Western Herring 22-24
788 (0%)
437 (-45%)
Bothnian Herring 30-31
55 869 (-16%)
57 308 (+3%)
Central Herring 25-27, 28.2, 29, 32
96 463 (+15%)
143 860 (+49%)
Riga Herring 28.1
34 367 (-17%)
28 183 (+11%)
Sprat 22-32
201 975 (+45%)
291 590 (+44%)
Plaice 22-32
10 973 (-3%)
10 973 (0%)
Main Basin Salmon 22-31
25 537 (-27%)
25 537 (0%)
Gulf of Finland Salmon 32
10 232 (+1%)
10 232 (0%)
Quote(s)
Scientists tell us that for certain pelagic fish stocks in the Baltic Sea the outlook for 2027 is better. This gives us hope that our careful approach over the past few years is starting to pay off and we need to continue the rebuilding trajectory we jointly agreed upon. However, scientists warn that it is still too early to speak of a trend, so we must remain cautious. The bigger picture is very worrying. The Baltic Sea ecosystem is in a very bad state, and we need to take action across all areas to protect it. This means fully enforcing EU rules and working together at every level to turn around the situation for this vital marine environment. The future of the Baltic Sea depends on all of us pulling in the same direction.
Costas Kadis, Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans
A press release and questions and answers are available online.
(For more information: Maciej Berestecki – Tel.: +32 2 296 64 83; Anna Wartberger – Tel.: +32 2 298 20 54)
EU sends urgent support to Serbia as wildfires intensify
The European Union has sent urgent support to Serbia through its Civil Protection Mechanism as severe wildfires continue to affect the Deliblato Sands Special Nature Reserve, where more than 3,500 hectares have already been impacted.
In response to the worsening situation, Serbia activated the Civil Protection Mechanism on Friday 21 August, requesting European support to reinforce ongoing firefighting efforts. Within hours of Serbia's request, the EU mobilised four helicopters from the strategic reserve of the rescEU fleet based in Czechia, Romania and Slovakia, as well as ground firefighting teams from Germany and Romania. These assets remain deployed and are supporting ongoing firefighting operations. Additionally, a liaison officer arrived in Serbia to facilitate close coordination between the Serbian authorities, the EU Emergency Response Coordination Centre, and the deployed teams, ensuring that assistance is delivered swiftly and effectively where it is most needed.
For emergency assessment and operational planning, the EU's Copernicus Emergency Management Service was already activated on 8 August, providing satellite mapping and analysis of the affected area.
The fires have been ongoing for more than two weeks, fuelled by strong winds, challenging conditions, and terrain that is difficult to access for ground-based intervention. The scale and persistence of the emergency have threatened one of Serbia's most important natural areas.
Commissioner for Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, said: “Civil Protection Mechanism in action: firefighting teams from Czechia, Germany, Romania, Slovakia have joined the fight against wildfires in Serbia, working alongside local responders. In times of challenge, Europe stands strong.”
(For more information: Eva Hrncirova – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Quentin Cortes - Tel: +32 2 291 32 83).
Commission continues support for Ebola response with €2.1 million worth of PCR tests to the World Health Organization
The European Commission, with the support of the European Health and Digital Executive Agency, has signed an agreement to procure open-platform polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests worth €2.1 million to respond to the ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak.
The PCR tests are being donated to the World Health Organization's (WHO) Hub for Global Health Emergencies Logistics in Dubai, which will organise their distribution. The deliveries will begin in August.
The diagnostic tests follow another agreement earlier this week with the Commission's procurement of €2.5 million worth of rapid molecular point-of-care tests and testing instruments to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Diagnostics such as PCR tests play an essential role in response through their high accuracy, large testing capacity, and compatibility with existing laboratory infrastructure, ensuring timely detection of cases. This improves outbreak control by effectively identifying infected patients, who can be treated and isolated to protect others and reduce the spread of the virus.
Commissioner for Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, said: “In an outbreak every day counts. The faster we detect cases, the faster patients can receive treatment and the faster we can stop the virus from spreading. That is why Europe is acting, with €4.6 million in diagnostic tests and close cooperation with the WHO and Africa CDC. Health threats do not stop at borders. Neither can our response.”
The Commission has mobilised €493 million in emergency aid, vaccines, treatment and health security in the Great Lakes and Uganda region. The ECDC currently assesses the risk of Ebola to people in Europe as very low.
Commission clears acquisition of Nexera by Orange and APG
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Nexera Holding sp. z o.o. (‘Nexera') of Poland by Orange S.A. of France and APG Asset Management N.V. (‘APG') of the Netherlands.
The transaction relates primarily to the telecom sector in Poland, particularly the provision of wholesale broadband access services.
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given its limited impact on competition in the markets where the companies are active. In particular, the merged entity will continue to face competition from other wholesale broadband access players, including Fiberhost, PSO, Vectra and Tauron. The companies' activities are complementary with limited geographic overlap. The Commission also assessed whether the transaction could allow the companies to exclude competitors, but dismissed these concerns, notably because the financial investor APG will have joint control over Nexera and would not financially benefit from such actions. The notified transaction was examined under the normal merger review procedure.
More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.12341.
(For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 2 299 47 74)
Commission clears creation of joint venture by C2X and CPCM
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the creation a joint venture by C2X Ltd of UK and CP Industrial Capital Management Co., Limited (‘CPCM') of Hong Kong.
The transaction relates primarily to the green methanol sector.
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the limited impact on the European Economic Area. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.12570.
Commissioner Lahbib visits wildfire-hit Belgium and Germany as European response continues across the continent
As the EU continues to mobilise firefighting support across Europe during an intense wildfire season, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, will be visiting wildfire-affected areas in Belgium and Germany tomorrow. In the Hautes Fagnes and around Monschau, she will meet local and national authorities, first responders, visit communities affected by the fires, and see first-hand the impact of the fires and response on the ground.
Belgium requested European assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism on 15 August. The European Commission coordinated the deployment of two firefighting planes from Sweden, six helicopters from the Netherlands, Germany, and Norway, specialised firefighting teams from the Netherlands and Spain, and provided emergency satellite mapping.
Commissioner for Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, said: “The devastation in the Hautes Fagnes is a stark reminder that wildfire risk is changing across Europe. Our firefighters and emergency services are on the front line, working tirelessly to protect communities. When Belgium called for help, Europe stepped up sending teams and aircraft from across the continent to fight the fires and stand with those affected.”
The 2026 wildfire season is already exceptionally severe. By 12 August, the area burned was already more than twice the average area burned for that time of year. In response, the Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated ten times by affected countries. The Commission has coordinated and co-financed the deployments of more than 700 firefighters, over 200 vehicles, and 38 aircraft. Copernicus satellites have produced 391 emergency maps to help authorities track and respond to wildfires, with mapping operations currently supporting Italy, Montenegro, Germany, Belgium, Albania, Serbia and Croatia.
When an emergency hits, any country can request assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. An activation of the Mechanism triggers the Emergency Response Coordination Centre to mobilise assistance from European countries. Operating 24/7, the Centre ensures rapid deployment of emergency support and acts as a coordination hub between all EU Member States, 10 additional participating states, the affected country, and civil protection experts.
(For more information: Eva Hrncirova – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Quentin Cortes - Tel: +32 2 291 32 83)
Commission approves €6.1 billion for Ukraine's defence
On Ukraine Independence Day, the European Commission has approved €6.1 billion in new defence procurement for Ukraine. This funding covers air and missile defence systems, missiles, ammunitions and radars, reaffirming Europe's commitment to supporting Ukraine's defence and resilience against Russia's ongoing aggression.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the Commission: “On Ukraine's Independence Day, Europe shows our support is unfaltering and concrete. Today, we have approved €6.1 billion for the air and missile defence systems, missiles, ammunition and radars that Ukraine urgently needs. As Russia intensifies its attacks, we are stepping up to help Ukraine protect its people and defend its skies. Europe stands with Ukraine and we will deliver what it needs, when it needs it.”
The funding, part of the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan (UASL), comes as Russia escalates attacks with ballistic missiles and drones. With 376 missile strikes recorded in July alone, reinforcing Ukraine's defences has become increasingly urgent.
Today's approval adds to €16 billion in already approved procurement plans, of which €8.35 billion has been disbursed, ensuring Ukraine receives critical supplies on time and at the required scale.
Most procurements will source products from EU defence companies. Given Russia's intensified use of ballistic missiles and jet-engined drones, the Commission emphasises the need for a significant increase in EU deliveries through destocking, reprioritising orders and ramping up the production.
Ukraine's ability to defend itself depends on the rapid availability of critical defence products. The UASL provides €30 billion for budgetary aid and €60 billion for defence across 2026-2027, including €28.3 billion in 2026 to strengthen Ukraine's defence industrial capacity.
Ukraine can request payments by submitting contracts signed with defence companies. The Commission will review these contracts before disbursing funds to ensure the financial assistance is used for the procurements agreed with Member States and the Commission.
In February 2026, the European Parliament and the Council adopted Regulation (EU) 2026/467, establishing the Ukraine Support Loan, providing up to €90 billion in support to Ukraine. This support has two complementary components: strengthening Ukraine's defence capabilities and defence industrial capacities, and support to maintain essential state functions, public services and economic resilience.
Following Ukraine's submission of its Financing Strategy in March 2026, the Council adopted an implementing decision on 23 April 2026, allocating up to €45 billion for 2026. This includes €16.7 billion in budget support, split equally between the Ukraine Facility and Macro Financial Assistance, with each amounting to up to €8.35 billion, and €28.3 billion for defence industrial capacities.
The defence component focuses on reconstructing and modernising Ukraine's defence technological and industrial base, while supporting its gradual integration into the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base.
All funding decisions respond to Ukraine's evolving needs and are subject to agreed conditions and monitoring. Since 2022, the EU and its Member States have provided €220.2 billion in overall support to Ukraine, including €3.8 billion from the proceeds of immobilised Russian assets.
Ukraine Support Loan
Regulation (EU) 2026/467 - Ukraine Support Loan for 2026 and 2027
Commission implementing decision validating the use of derogations for drones in Ukraine
Macro-Financial Assistance
Macro-Financial Assistance to Ukraine
Ukraine Facility
Factsheet - EU solidarity with Ukraine
On Ukraine’s Independence Day, Europe shows our support is unfaltering and concrete. Today, we have approved €6.1 billion for the air and missile defence systems, missiles, ammunition and radars that Ukraine urgently needs. As Russia intensifies its attacks, we are stepping up to help Ukraine protect its people and defend its skies. Europe stands with Ukraine and we will deliver what it needs, when it needs it.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
Last month alone, Ukraine faced 376 missile strikes. In the face of this relentless threat, the European Union is taking concrete action. Through the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan, we are enabling Ukraine to procure the missiles and air-defence systems it urgently needs to protect its people and defend its sovereignty.
Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space
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