On Tuesday 26 August, the European Commission proposed lowering several total allowable catches (TACs) for fish in the waters of the Baltic Sea.
The proposal, which sets fishing opportunities for 2026, provides for an increase in the TAC for salmon in the Gulf of Finland (+1%, to a total of 10,232 tonnes) and the maintenance of current levels for central Baltic herring (83,881 tonnes) and sprat (139,500 tonnes).
On the other hand, several decreases are proposed: Bothnian herring (-62%, to 25,560 tonnes, including 20,956 tonnes for Finland); Gulf of Riga herring (-17%, 34,367 tonnes); plaice (-3%, 10,973 tonnes); main basin salmon (-27%, or 25,487 fish).
Unavoidable by-catches have been revised downwards: Western Baltic cod (-84%, to 42 t), Eastern Baltic cod (-63%, for a total of 159 t) and Western Baltic herring (-50%, 394 t, including 218 t for Germany).
Herring. According to the Commission, herring stocks in the Western Baltic remain well below minimum levels. It therefore proposes removing the exemption for small-scale coastal fishing and adjusting the TAC so that it only covers unavoidable by-catches.
The herring stock in the Bay of Bothnia continues to decrease and has reached one of the lowest levels ever recorded. In addition to a decrease in the TAC, the Commission is proposing a three-month spawning closure in shallow coastal waters to support successful spawning and the eventual recovery of the stock.
Salmon. The Commission is proposing to adjust fishing opportunities by area and accompanying measures, such as delaying the start of fishing seasons in certain areas and banning recreational fishing for farmed salmon.
On the basis of these proposals, the EU countries will take a final decision to determine the maximum quantities of the most important commercial fish species that can be caught in the Baltic Sea basin.
The European Council of Fisheries Ministers will examine the Commission’s proposal with a view to adopting the definitive TACs at its meeting on 27 and 28 October in Luxembourg (see EUROPE 13509/1).
To read the proposal: https://aeur.eu/f/i53 (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)