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EU Baltic Sea fishing quota negotiations

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2026-10-27 06:22 UTC → 2026-10-27 11:35 UTC · added ~~removed~~

EU fisheries ministers have reached a political agreement in Luxembourg regarding fishing quotas for 2027, aiming to balance marine ecosystem protection with the economic viability of coastal fishing communities. The final decision ensures that small-scale coastal fisheries can continue to use passive gear, such as gillnets, on boats under twelve meters. This outcome follows advocacy from German Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture Alois Rainer to protect the economic viability of German coastal fishing. Member states specifically rejected EU Commission proposals to further restrict these small-scale operations, allowing German fishers to continue using small boats and passive gear for targeted herring catches. Under the agreement, herring and cod may continue to be landed as bycatch in the western Baltic Sea at existing levels. While targeted fishing for herring in the western Baltic has been restricted since 2022, other quotas are set to increase. Specifically, the catch limit for herring in the central Baltic Sea will rise by approximately 71 percent to 165,000 tons, sprat quotas will increase by 44 percent to around 292,000 tons, and plaice quotas will see a 3 percent increase. Additional increases were confirmed for herring catches in the Gulf of Riga, which will rise by 11 percent, and Bothnian herring, which will rise by 12 percent. In Finland, total quotas for herring and sprat are expected to grow by over 100,000 tonnes. However, strict protections remain for vulnerable stocks; cod populations remain critically low, resulting in continued restrictions where only accidental by-catches are permitted, and salmon fishing limits in the Gulf of Finland will be ~~maintained. The agreement incorporates scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) while addressing socioeconomic concerns from member states.~~ maintained, though certain recreational trolling regulations will be kept to support local tourism.

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