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DRAFT REPORT (2026/2074(INI))

On the multiannual plan for the fisheries exploiting demersal stocks in the western Mediterranean Sea

PECH-PR-789948

Committee on Fisheries · Rapporteur: Carmen Crespo Díaz

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 25 Sept 2026

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

A draft report by Parliament's Fisheries Committee calls for an overhaul of the multiannual plan for demersal stocks in the western Mediterranean Sea. It asks the Commission to propose changes by 1 December 2026, including dropping the 'most vulnerable stock' definition and the choke-species limit on fishing days. It seeks flexibility and stabilisation mechanisms, socio-economic criteria in decision-making, and removal of the dual quota and fishing-day burden on the red shrimp fishery. It calls for stronger science, monitoring and regional cooperation against illegal fishing, and for a ring-fenced budget of at least EUR 7.29 billion for fleet modernisation, temporary cessations and diversification.

Committee position. The rapporteur proposes an ambitious reform of Regulation (EU) 2019/1022, removing the 'most vulnerable stock' definition, adding socio-economic criteria, introducing flexibility and stabilisation mechanisms, and addressing the red shrimp fishery's dual burden.

Key points

  1. The report finds that the current plan gives predominant weight to biological indicators and does not sufficiently integrate socio-economic consequences.
  2. It finds the concept of 'most vulnerable stock' particularly concerning, saying it created a rigid effort system based on choke species that does not reflect mixed Mediterranean fisheries.
  3. It proposes removing the definition of 'most vulnerable stock', adding socio-economic criteria to decision-making and fishing-day allocation, and amending Article 4 to recognise the mixed nature of these fisheries.
  4. It proposes flexibility mechanisms found in other EU multiannual plans, including stabilisation mechanisms limiting annual reductions, year-to-year transfers and more predictable management.
  5. It calls for urgent removal of the dual restriction on the blue and red shrimp fishery, which is subject to both a quota system and limits on fishing days.
  6. It urges the Commission to present by 1 December 2026 a legislative proposal overhauling Regulation (EU) 2019/1022, replacing Article 4(3) effort rules with a mixed fisheries approach and dropping the fishing-days limit.
  7. It asks for adaptive flexibility, including yearly carry-over of at least 10 % of fishing opportunities and biennial effort management cycles, and stabilisation mechanisms limiting reductions and increases in days to 20 %.
  8. It welcomes the Commission's call for evidence for an impact assessment published on 26 May 2026 and its commitment to assess socio-economic effects.
  9. It calls for mandatory consultations with stakeholders, including the Mediterranean Advisory Council, regional scientific bodies, fishers' organisations and processing industries, before further restrictions.
  10. It calls for stronger coordination of scientific research, better data exchange between EU, GFCM and national institutes, and assessment of measures already adopted before further reductions.
  11. It is deeply concerned about illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing by third countries and wants a European import control office to keep such products out of the internal market.
  12. It urges a ring-fenced budget of at least EUR 7.29 billion for fleet modernisation and renewal, temporary cessations and economic diversification, and a legislative simplification package.

Who is affected

  • Mediterranean fishing fleets and companies, which face reduced fishing days and economic viability problems.
  • The blue and red shrimp fishery, subject to both a quota system and fishing-day limits.
  • Coastal communities dependent on fishing, affected by employment and generational renewal concerns.
  • Member States and the Commission, asked to act on science, control and funding.

Figures and deadlines

  • Reductions in fishing effort exceeded 44 % in some segments, such as the Spanish trawling fleet.
  • Yearly carry-over of at least 10 % of fishing opportunities proposed.
  • Stabilisation mechanisms limiting reductions and increases in the number of days to 20 %.
  • Ring-fenced budget of at least EUR 7.29 billion for fleet modernisation and renewal.
  • Deadline of 1 December 2026 for the Commission to present a legislative proposal.
  • Call for evidence for an impact assessment published on 26 May 2026.

Legal basis: Article 3(3) TEU, Article 4, Article 43(3) and Article 191 TFEU, and Article 37 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights.