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Baltic Sea fishing quotas and environmental concerns

Updated 3 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-08-31 23:03 UTC → 2026-09-10 12:14 UTC · added removed

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 response, environmental organizations such as Stiftelsen för Östersjölaxen and ÖiS have cautioned EU ministers against the Pomeranian region, fishermen are raising alarms over these proposed increases. While some salmon populations in Swedish and Finnish rivers showed improved migration in 2026, experts warn Grzegorz Hałubek of the Association of Polish Fishermen argues that smaller populations remain at critical levels. Additionally, mass forage fishing for small fish removes the Swedish Green Party (Miljöpartiet) has introduced a Baltic Sea package essential food source required for cod to tackle systemic issues, including plastic pollution, warming, regenerate. Consequently, EU-funded research in the Ustka municipality is exploring aquaculture alternatives, such as mussel and expanding oxygen-depleted zones. seaweed farming, to provide sustainable livelihoods as traditional fisheries face collapse.

Versions

  1. 2026-09-10 12:14 UTC Baltic Sea fishing quotas and environmental concerns
  2. 2026-08-31 23:03 UTC Baltic Sea fishing quotas and environmental concerns
  3. 2026-08-29 07:43 UTC Baltic Sea fishing quotas and environmental concerns
  4. 2026-08-24 12:14 UTC Baltic Sea fishing sustainability and quota management

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