Schleswig-Holstein Minister opposes EU herring fishing restrictions

Cornelia Schmachtenberg, the Minister of Agriculture for Schleswig-Holstein, has expressed opposition to proposed European Commission plans to further restrict herring fishing in the western Baltic Sea. The EU Commission suggests that herring stocks remain significantly low and proposes a sharp reduction in fishing opportunities to protect the species.

The proposal includes ending the current exception that allows coastal fishermen to catch herring passively using gillnets by 2027. Additionally, the allowed catch amount as bycatch during the fishing of other species is slated to nearly halve from 788 tons in 2026 to 437 tons in the following year.

Schmachtenberg argues that further restrictions on local fisheries are unjustifiable, noting that a significant portion of herring catches occurs outside of German waters. She also cited other factors influencing stock development, such as growing predator populations, specifically cormorants. The Minister is advocating for the protection of stocks while simultaneously safeguarding the viability of small-scale coastal fisheries.