Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Sweden have appealed to the EU, urging action against Russia’s fishing activities in the Baltic Sea
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Sweden have made a strong appeal to the European Union, urging swift action against Russia’s fishing activities in the Baltic Sea.
These nations assert that Russia’s unilateral setting of fishing quotas for cod, herring, and sprat undermines their collective efforts to restore the sea’s biological resources.
In a recent communication from the European Commission to the European Parliament and the Council, the gravity of the situation in the Baltic Sea was highlighted. Commercial fish stocks continue to decline, with four out of ten fisheries banned for several years, including a five-year ban on Baltic cod fishing. Despite these EU bans, Russia has independently established fishing opportunities for the same species, raising concerns among the Baltic countries.
Concerns Over Sustainability
The primary worry is that fish caught by Russian vessels could enter the EU market, potentially compromising the EU’s sustainability efforts. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Sweden have called on the European Commission to implement strict sustainability requirements to prevent this scenario. They believe that access to the EU market should be conditional on adherence to these requirements.
The Baltic countries have demanded that the Commission inform the EU Council of the measures planned to address this issue before the Council’s October meeting.
EU’s Efforts for Sustainable Fishing
The European Commission has been proactive in addressing the environmental pressures on the Baltic Sea. It has emphasized the importance of sustainable fishing practices and the need for cooperation among Baltic Sea Member States. Various measures have been implemented to ensure sustainable fishing opportunities, including setting total allowable catches (TACs) for different fish species and introducing recovery management measures for stocks in poor condition.
Furthermore, the Commission is focused on protecting the critically endangered Baltic Proper harbour porpoises. New measures to prevent these marine mammals from being caught in fishing operations include seasonal and year-round closures in specific areas and the mandatory use of acoustic deterrent devices.