26/05/2026 (Agence Europe) – On Tuesday 26 May, the European Commission launched a consultation (https://aeur.eu/f/m1m ) on the Multiannual Management Plans for fish stocks in the various EU sea basins. The Commission acknowledges that some provisions are difficult to apply in their current form. For the western Mediterranean, the Commission wants to gather feedback on the implementation and impact of the ‘most vulnerable stock’ principle in setting fishing opportunities, as well as on options for a more balanced approach to mixed fisheries. For the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and the Western Waters, it wants to obtain contributions on the ‘5% rule’ (tolerance), as well as on how rebuilding trajectories could be defined for fishers dependent on stocks in poor condition, in order to reduce year-on-year fluctuations and help stabilise fishers’ incomes. (LC)