The European Commission published its second report on the implementation of the MAP for the management of sea fisheries in the Baltic Sea
Today, the European Commission published its second report on the implementation of the multiannual plan (MAP) for managing fisheries in the Baltic Sea.
The MAP, a critical long-term tool under the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), aims to provide greater precision and certainty when setting fishing opportunities, while also incorporating safeguards for struggling fish stocks and offering flexibility for healthier ones.
The Commission acknowledged the significant challenges posed by the deteriorating state of the Baltic Sea’s ecosystem, which has negatively impacted fish stocks and complicated the effective implementation of the MAP. The report highlighted concerns over potential misreporting of pelagic species catches, which could undermine the accuracy of stock assessments and exacerbate overfishing.
This report was shaped by consultations with a broad range of stakeholders, including industry representatives, national administrations, and NGOs, all of whom provided diverse perspectives on the plan’s implementation.
Background
Multiannual plans (MAPs) are vital for achieving the long-term objectives of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). They set out the framework for establishing fishing opportunities, conservation measures, enforcing the landing obligation, and fostering regional cooperation. The MAP for the Baltic Sea, adopted in 2016, had its first implementation report released by the Commission in September 2020. The latest report continues to evaluate the progress and challenges of the MAP in the face of ongoing ecological and regulatory pressures in the Baltic region.