The European Commission has proposed extending the winter fishing closure in the Bay of Biscay until 2027 to protect common dolphins and other small cetaceans. This move follows requests from Belgium, France, Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain for a 30-day closure, aiming to enhance operational flexibility for fishers while minimizing bycatch during high-risk periods. Previous closures have successfully reduced dolphin mortality rates, with financial support available to affected fishing vessels.
Extreme summer conditions in 2026 are severely impacting Italian aquaculture, causing a projected 15% reduction in trout production and significant mussel mortalities. The heat and reduced oxygen levels have led to decreased feeding in trout, delaying growth and affecting future production cycles. In mussel farming, particularly in Emilia-Romagna, over 90% of mussels have been lost due to high sea temperatures, with damages exceeding €50 million. This situation serves as an important lesson for other Mediterranean countries on the limits of aquaculture under extreme conditions.
The Centre for Aquaculture Progress (CAP) has launched a new welfare monitoring protocol for seawater rainbow trout, featuring 33 operational welfare indicators for routine checks. This protocol is the first of its kind, providing a standardized scoring system from 0 to 3, designed for farmers, auditors, and seafood buyers. The protocol includes indicators assessed at individual, group, and environmental levels, and is available as an online tool and downloadable PDF. CAP plans to develop additional protocols for other species in the future.
The Commission has proposed fishing opportunities for the Baltic Sea in 2027, setting total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas for ten fish stocks, including herring and cod. The proposal aims to address the critical state of several fisheries and continues the rebuilding process for certain stocks, such as Bothnian herring and sprat, which see increases in quotas. The TAC proposals adhere to the recommendations from the International Council on the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) and comply with the Baltic Sea multiannual management plan. Next steps involve EU countries finalizing these proposals, targeting sustainability amid ongoing challenges like pollution and overfishing.