Baltic Fishing: EU Removes Restrictions in Northern Midsjöbank in 2026

Key data

Vessel owners and fishing companies with activity in the central and northern Baltic have had a more flexible regulatory framework in the Northern Midsjöbank area since 30 October 2026. The Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/2400 suppresses the specific technical measures that Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 imposed on that specific area, eliminating the restrictions that limited fishing operations there.

This is not a general deregulation of fishing in the Baltic, but rather the suppression of particular measures applicable to a delimited geographical area. The rest of the technical framework of Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 on conservation of fishery resources and protection of marine ecosystems remains fully in force.

What does this regulation establish?

Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 is the EU framework regulation on technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources and protection of marine ecosystems. Within that regulation there were specific provisions for the Northern Midsjöbank, an area of the Baltic Sea, which included measures such as:

• Limitations on the use of certain fishing gear in the area.
• Specific closed areas applicable to the Northern Midsjöbank area.

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/2400 entirely suppresses those specific technical measures for that area. The justification cited in the regulatory summary is a scientific reassessment of the state of the ecosystem or changes in the distribution of fishery resources in the area, which means that the previous restrictions are no longer justified from a conservation perspective.

Economic and operational impact

The elimination of these restrictions has direct consequences for the operations of vessels working in the area:

• Greater operational flexibility: Vessel owners can use fishing gear that was previously prohibited or limited in the Northern Midsjöbank, which can translate into greater efficiency and catch performance in that area.
• Access to previously closed areas: The specific closed areas of the Northern Midsjöbank are no longer in force, expanding the effective fishing area available.
• Need to update protocols: Vessels that operated under the previous restrictions must review and update their operational protocols, fishing plans and on-board documentation to reflect the new framework.
• No direct negative economic impact: The regulation does not impose new burdens, fees or specific economic obligations. The impact is positive in terms of operational capacity, although it requires administrative adaptation.

It is important to note that the regulation does not specify catch figures, additional quotas or specific monetary amounts. The actual economic benefit will depend on each operator and the conditions of the fishing ground at the time of activity.

Who does it affect?

• Vessel owners and fishing companies with vessels operating in the Baltic Sea, especially in the Northern Midsjöbank area.
• Fishing companies from Member States with activity in the central and northern Baltic (mainly Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany and Denmark).
• Fleet managers and regulatory compliance officers of fishing companies who must update the operational protocols of their vessels.
• Legal and technical advisors in the fishing sector who assist vessel owners in adapting to EU regulatory changes.

It does not affect fishing companies that operate exclusively in other areas of the Baltic or in waters outside the scope of Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 for this specific area.

Practical example

A vessel owner with a bottom trawler operating regularly in the central Baltic who until now avoided the Northern Midsjöbank area due to the fishing gear restrictions in force can, from the entry into force of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/2400, include that area in their fishing plan without needing to adapt or replace their gear.

Similarly, an operator who was barred from entering certain areas of the Northern Midsjöbank due to the specific measures of Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 can now fish in them, provided they comply with the rest of the general technical conservation framework applicable to the Baltic.

In both cases, the immediate step is to update the vessel's operational documentation and verify with the compliance officer that the fishing plans reflect the new regulatory framework.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify if your vessels operate in the Northern Midsjöbank: Review fishing plans and usual areas of activity to determine if the suppression of restrictions applies directly to you.
2. Update the operational protocols of affected vessels: Modify fishing plans, on-board instructions and technical documentation to reflect the elimination of the specific measures for the Northern Midsjöbank.
3. Consult the full text of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/2400: Verify from the official source which specific articles of Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 are repealed and which remain in force for the area.
4. Confirm the exact entry into force date: The regulation does not specify the application date in the available data. It is essential to consult the text published in the EU Official Journal to confirm from when it is applicable.
5. Inform skippers and crews: Ensure that on-board personnel are aware of the operational changes and do not apply restrictions that are no longer in force, nor incur violations due to lack of knowledge of the new framework.

Official source

Consult full regulation at official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202602400