Acoustic telemetry (AT) has emerged as a valuable tool for monitoring aquatic animals in both European inland and marine waters over the past two decades. The European Tracking Network (ETN) initiative has played a pivotal role in promoting collaboration among AT researchers in Europe and has led to a significant increase in the number of tagged and observed aquatic animals in transboundary European waters. While AT benefits decision-making and delivers essential data to management bodies, its potential for management decision-making mechanisms has yet to be fully harnessed. We reviewed existing research, studies, and organisational initiatives related to aquatic animal tracking and their utility in fisheries management in European waters. We found that AT has already contributed to many aspects of fisheries management, such as improved understanding of stock dynamics, identification of critical habitats, assessment of migration routes, and evaluation of the effectiveness of conservation measures. However, broader utilisation of tracking technologies is needed. By leveraging the full potential of AT, managers can make more informed decisions to protect, restore, and sustainably manage European waters and creatures that live therein., This publication represents a collaborative effort from the European Tracking Network and is based upon work from COST Action—The European Animal Tracking Network (CA18102), supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology, www.cost.eu). Additionally, J. Reubens acknowledges support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) as part of the Belgian contribution to LifeWatch. M. Prchalová and M. Říha are grateful for the support provided by the project nos. QK23020002 and QK21010131. J. Alós received funding from the METARAOR Project (grant no. PID2022-139349OB-I00) funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/FEDER, UE. D. Abecasis was funded by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia through UIDB/04326/2020, UIDP/04326/2020, LA/P/0101/2020, and DL57/2016/CP1361/CT0036., Peer reviewed