EU Council agrees on 2027 Baltic Sea fishing quotas

The EU Council has reached a political agreement regarding fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea for 2027. The decision, made by fisheries ministers in Luxembourg, aims to balance marine ecosystem protection with the economic viability of coastal fishing communities.

Key outcomes include significant increases in catch limits for certain species. Fishing opportunities for sprat will rise by 44%, while central Baltic herring quotas will increase by 71%. Additionally, herring catches in the Gulf of Riga are set to rise by 11%, and Bothnian herring by 12%.

However, strict protections remain for vulnerable stocks. Cod populations remain critically low, resulting in continued restrictions where only accidental by-catches are permitted. Salmon fishing in the Gulf of Finland will also face maintained limits. The agreement specifically preserves exemptions for small-scale fisheries, allowing German fishermen to continue using small boats and passive gear like gillnets to target herring.