New Baltic fishing restrictions 2026: what affected operators must do

Key data

Fishing operators working in the Baltic Sea face new specific limitations on where and how they can fish. The Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/2399, published on 30 October 2026, amends Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/117 to add specific conservation measures in four marine protected areas. It is not a regulation for future or voluntary application: it has direct application in all Member States with fishing activity in the Baltic.

The regulation responds to the need to protect vulnerable habitats and species in sensitive areas of the Baltic that previously lacked sufficiently detailed restrictions. For fishing companies, this translates into real operational changes: areas that were previously accessible may become totally or partially closed, and the fishing techniques employed may be subject to new conditions.

What does this regulation establish?

The regulation amends the conservation framework in force since 2017 (Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/117) to incorporate specific measures in the following four marine protected areas of the Baltic Sea:

The measures affect both geographic limitations (where fishing can take place within each zone) and technical conditions (fishing gear, depths, seasons). The stated objective is to protect vulnerable habitats and species present in these areas.

As an EU delegated regulation, it has direct application in all Member States without the need for national transposition. This means there is no legislative adaptation period: the regulation is binding from its entry into force.

Economic and operational impact

The main impact is not a fee or fixed amount, but rather a cost of opportunity and operational adaptation. Fishing companies that regularly operated in any of the four protected zones will have to:

• Redirect their vessels to other fishing zones, with the consequent increase in fuel costs and navigation time.
• Review and possibly modify the fishing gear used if technical conditions require it.
• Update catch recording and traceability systems to demonstrate compliance to control authorities.
• Accept possible reductions in catch if the restricted areas were relevant fishing grounds for their activity.

The most direct economic risk is that arising from non-compliance: the EU fishing control regime provides for sanctions against operators who fish in protected areas without respecting current restrictions. Although the regulation does not specify concrete sanction amounts, the general EU framework for fishing infringements may involve significant fines, license withdrawal or penalty points on the fishing permit.

Who does it affect?

• Fishing companies and vessel owners with vessels that regularly operate in the Baltic Sea, especially in the four designated protected zones.
• Professional fishermen with active fishing licenses in Baltic waters, regardless of nationality.
• Operators from Sweden and Finland, as the countries with the largest fishing presence in the affected zones.
• Companies from Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) with activity in the central and northern Baltic.
• Legal advisors and fishing sector consultants who manage regulatory compliance for fishing fleets in the Baltic.
• Fishing associations and guilds that must inform their members of the new operational limits.

Practical example

A Swedish vessel owner operating a bottom trawler with regular fishing grounds in the Norra Midsjöbanken zone receives notification that this area is now subject to additional conditions under Regulation (EU) 2026/2399. If their fishing gear or the exact fishing area falls within the established restrictions, they will have to:

1. Precisely identify the geographic limits of the protected zone on their nautical charts and positioning systems.
2. Verify whether their usual fishing gear is permitted under the new technical conditions.
3. Redirect activity to adjacent unprotected zones or adapt the gear used.
4. Document compliance in the electronic fishing logbook to avoid sanctions in case of inspection.

The same scenario applies to any operator fishing in Finngrunden, Svenska Högarna or Ottenby rev: the obligation to review the compatibility of their activity with the new measures is immediate from the entry into force of the regulation.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify whether they operate in any of the four affected zones (Finngrunden, Svenska Högarna, Norra Midsjöbanken, Ottenby rev) and to what extent their usual activity overlaps with the new limits.
2. Consult the full text of Regulation (EU) 2026/2399 to learn the exact geographic and technical conditions applicable to each protected zone.
3. Review the fishing gear and techniques employed to verify their compatibility with the new technical restrictions established in each area.
4. Update catch recording and electronic fishing logbook systems to reflect compliance with the new measures in case of possible inspections.
5. Inform skippers and crews of the new operational limits to avoid involuntary infringements that could generate sanctions or penalty points.
6. Consult with the competent national authorities (in Sweden, the Swedish Agency for Water Management and the Sea; in Finland, the Natural Resources Institute) to clarify the practical application of restrictions in each zone.

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_202602399