The proposal includes increasing quotas for central Baltic herring and Gulf of Riga herring, while significantly reducing quotas for salmon, sprat, and by-catches of Baltic cod.
Despite improvements in some stocks, such as central Baltic herring, the overall situation remains challenging due to persistent low reproduction rates and pollution in the Baltic Sea.
„The 2025 fishing opportunities proposal for the Baltic Sea is out” – announced EU Maritime & Fish via social media.
The proposal, which follows scientific advice and the Baltic Sea management plan, will be reviewed and finalized by the EU Council in October 2024.
On Monday, the Commission proposed quotas for nine out of ten fish stocks managed by the EU in the Baltic Sea, with the quota for Bothnian herring to be proposed at a later date.
EU proposes major fishing quota cuts in Baltic Sea for 2025
The new limits propose reducing allowable by-catches of cod in the eastern Baltic Sea by 68 percent and in the western part by 73 percent, as well as decreasing sprat quotas by 42 percent.
Salmon quotas are set to be reduced by 36 percent in the main basin of the Baltic Sea and by 20 percent in the Gulf of Finland, while the quota for herring will increase by 8 percent.
These changes must be approved by EU member states in the Council of the European Union. The EU also aims to introduce a ban on recreational fishing of farmed salmon, which inevitably results in the death of wild salmon.
The European Commission aims to balance sustainable fishing with addressing the severe environmental and biodiversity challenges facing the heavily polluted Baltic Sea.
Source: IAR/PAP/Radio Gdańsk/X/@EU_MARE
(m p)
