# Baltic Sea fishing quotas and environmental concerns

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/baltic-sea-fishing-sustainability-and-quota-management
> Updated: 2026-09-09T17:58:41.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 5.

Sustainability concerns persist regarding sprat and herring trawling in the Baltic Sea, with investigations into vessels like ‘Themis’ highlighting ecological and social issues. While sprat is used for fishmeal and oil, herring is often caught as “unavoidable bycatch,” prompting calls for specific bycatch quotas. To address various species' statuses, the European Commission has proposed 2027 fishing quotas based on scientific assessments. The proposal establishes total allowable catches (TAC) and quotas for ten EU-managed fish populations, including Atlantic herring in the Bothnian Gulf, the central Baltic Sea, and the Gulf of Riga; northern sprat; large plaice; Atlantic salmon; and cod in the western and eastern Baltic Sea. The proposal suggests increasing the TAC for central Baltic herring by 49%, sprat by 44%, Gulf of Riga herring by 11%, and Bothnian herring by 3%. To support sprat fishing, the Commission also proposes lifting the three-month spawning period ban. However, following recommendations from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and the 2016 multi-annual management plan, the proposal mandates significant reductions in unavoidable bycatch for species in poor condition. This includes an 88% reduction for western Baltic cod, a 51% reduction for eastern Baltic cod, and a 45% reduction for western Baltic herring. 

In the Pomeranian region, fishermen are raising alarms over these proposed increases. Grzegorz Hałubek of the Association of Polish Fishermen argues that mass forage fishing for small fish removes the essential food source required for cod to regenerate. Consequently, EU-funded research in the Ustka municipality is exploring aquaculture alternatives, such as mussel and seaweed farming, to provide sustainable livelihoods as traditional fisheries face collapse.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-09: Baltic Sea fishing: Quota increases spark concern and aquaculture research

Baltic Sea fishermen warn that rising sprat and herring quotas threaten cod populations, while new EU-funded research in Ustka explores mussel and seaweed farming as a sustainable alternative.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/baltic-sea-fishing-quota-increases-spark-concern-and-aquaculture-research

### 2026-08-31: European Commission proposes 2027 Baltic Sea fishing quotas

The European Commission has proposed 2027 fishing quotas for ten fish populations in the Baltic Sea to address critical population levels and ensure long-term sustainability.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-commission-proposes-2027-baltic-sea-fishing-quotas-1

### 2026-08-28: Baltic Sea environmental groups warn against higher fishing quotas

Environmental groups and the Swedish Green Party are warning of the Baltic Sea's critical condition, citing collapsing fish stocks, expanding dead zones, and urging against increased fishing quotas.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/baltic-sea-environmental-groups-warn-against-higher-fishing-quotas

### 2026-08-24: European Commission proposes 2027 Baltic Sea fishing quotas

The European Commission has proposed significant increases in 2027 Baltic Sea fishing quotas for central herring and sprat, while seeking to further reduce cod bycatch due to poor stock conditions.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-commission-proposes-2027-baltic-sea-fishing-quotas

### 2026-08-12: Baltic Sea sprat and herring trawling faces sustainability concerns

An investigation into Baltic Sea trawling reveals sustainability concerns regarding sprat and herring fishing, noting that herring is frequently caught as unavoidable bycatch.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/baltic-sea-sprat-and-herring-trawling-faces-sustainability-concerns

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Cite as: Baltic Sea fishing quotas and environmental concerns. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/baltic-sea-fishing-sustainability-and-quota-management