New EU sanitary measures for aquaculture: what changes in 2026

Key data

Aquaculture companies and fishermen operating in the EU must review their sanitary protocols following the publication of Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/837, which amends the annexes of Decision 2021/260 and updates the list of approved national measures to limit the impact of diseases in aquatic animals.

The regulation entered into force on 15 April 2026, one day before its official publication. This means that the changes are already applicable and any operator in the sector must act without delay.

The reason for the update is twofold: changes in the epidemiological situation in certain Member States and new requests for approval of stricter national measures. Both factors may have modified the conditions under which your company operates.

What does this regulation establish?

Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/837 amends the annexes of Decision 2021/260, which is the Community framework that regulates which approved national sanitary measures are in place at European level for the control of diseases in aquatic animals.

The system works as follows: Member States may apply stricter sanitary measures than the European minimum, but only if the Commission has expressly approved them. This Decision updates that list of approved measures.

Sector operators must consult the updated annexes to know exactly what measures are in force in their country. The Commission does not publish a summary of what has changed country by country: it is the operator's responsibility to verify it.

Economic and operational impact

The direct impact of this regulation is not economic in terms of new published fees or sanctions, but operational: it affects how you can move, market and sanitary control your aquatic animals.

The three concrete impact vectors are:

• Sanitary controls: If your country has adopted stricter measures now approved by the EU, you will have to apply new control protocols in your facility or vessel.
• Animal movements: The transfer of fish, mollusks or crustaceans between zones or to other Member States may be conditioned by the new approved national measures.
• Marketing conditions: The placing on the market of aquatic animals may require additional certifications or controls if your country has tightened its requirements with the backing of this Decision.

The real risk for companies is operating under outdated protocols, which can lead to problems in inspections, rejections at destination or blockages in animal movements.

Who does it affect?

• Aquaculture companies: Fish farms, mollusk hatcheries, crustacean nurseries and any aquatic animal production facility.
• Fishermen and fishing associations: Insofar as they market or move live aquatic animals subject to sanitary controls.
• Intra-community exporters and importers: Companies that transfer live aquatic animals between Member States, as approved national measures condition those movements.
• Veterinary and health authorities: Must apply and enforce the new approved measures in their territories.
• Advisors and consultants in the primary sector: Who must update the protocols of their clients in the aquaculture or fishing sector.

Practical example

Imagine a Spanish aquaculture company that produces mussels and markets them both in the national market and in other EU countries. Until now it operated under the sanitary protocols established by Decision 2021/260.

Following the publication of Decision 2026/837, Spain could have requested and obtained approval of stricter sanitary measures for certain diseases affecting mollusks, motivated by a change in the epidemiological situation. If that is the case, the company will have to:

1. Review the new annexes of Decision 2026/837 to verify whether Spain appears with updated measures for mollusks.
2. Adapt its internal sanitary control protocols to the new requirements.
3. Verify that the sanitary certificates accompanying its shipments to other Member States reflect compliance with the new measures.

Failure to do so may result in a shipment being rejected at destination or an inspection detecting non-compliance with the measures in force in the country of origin.

What should companies do now?

1. Consult the updated annexes of Decision 2026/837: Access the full text on EUR-Lex and locate whether your country appears with new or modified measures for the species you produce or market.
2. Identify what measures have changed in your country: Compare the annexes of Decision 2021/260 with those of the new Decision 2026/837 to detect specific changes that affect you.
3. Review your internal sanitary protocols: If there are changes in applicable measures, update your sanitary control procedures, records and documentation before continuing to operate.
4. Verify requirements for animal movements: If you transfer live aquatic animals between zones or countries, confirm that the new requirements are reflected in your movement documentation.
5. Consult with your competent veterinary authority: In case of doubt about how the new measures apply in your autonomous community or country, contact the corresponding animal health authority.
6. Update contracts and conditions with clients: If the new measures impose additional controls that affect delivery times or costs, communicate this to your clients in advance.