EU ministers have reached an agreement on fishing opportunities for 2018 in the Atlantic, North Sea and Black Sea following negotiations at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 11 - 12 December.

EU Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella will present the Commission's proposals for fishing opportunities for 2018 for the Atlantic, North Sea and Black Sea to the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 11-12 December.

The oceans and their fish stocks are a shared responsibility for all. For years, the European Union has been leading international efforts to promote fisheries that are sustainable for both fish and fishermen, for the environment and for the economy. And the results are showing in both EU waters and throughout the world.

Ahead of the December Fisheries Council, where EU Member States will agree fishing quotas for 2018, the Commission has tabled its proposal on catch limits and quotas for the Black Sea, following adoption of the first-ever multiannual management plan for the region.

Today the Commission presents its proposal for fishing opportunities in the Atlantic and the North Sea for 2018. The Commission proposes quotas for 78 stocks: for 53 stocks the fishing quota is either increased or remains the same and for 25 stocks is reduced.

Fisheries ministers are meeting at the AGRIFISH Council in Luxembourg on 9 and 10 October to reach a political agreement on the Baltic fishing opportunities for 2018. Commissioner for the Environment, Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Karmenu Vella, will present the Commission's proposal, and urge ministers to set fishing opportunities at sustainable levels.

The seminar reviews the latest information on the state of fish stocks and of the economic developments of the fleets in the North-east Atlantic, the North Sea, the Baltic Sea, and in the Mediterranean.

Today the Commission adopted a proposal for fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea for 2018. In particular, the Commission proposes to increase catches for Central Herring, Sprat and the Main Basin Salmon stocks, and to maintain the number of catches for the important stock of Western Baltic Cod.