The EU Council agrees on catch limits for 2025 Baltic Sea fishing quotas amid environmental concerns from eNGO Seas at Risk
Today, Tuesday October 22, 2024, the European Union’s Agriculture and Fisheries Council reached an agreement on new catch limits for key fish stocks in the Baltic Sea, including herring, cod, plaice, sprat, and salmon.
These catch limits aim to ensure the sustainable management of fish populations while balancing environmental considerations and the economic needs of the fishing industry.
The Council’s decision followed recommendations from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and is aligned with the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy. The total allowable catches (TACs) set for 2025 are based on scientific advice, with each EU member state allocated specific national quotas for key species.
Hungarian Minister for Agriculture, István Nagy, commented on the delicate balance achieved by the agreement, stating: “The livelihoods of fishers depend on the long-term sustainability of our fishing stocks. With today’s agreement, we aim to strike a balance between helping fish stocks recover, protecting marine ecosystems, and ensuring the viability of the sector in the future.”
Key Catch Limit Decisions for 2025
- Herring: The central Baltic herring stock has seen population growth, leading to an increase in catch limits by 108%. However, marine conservation organisations warn that the stock remains below sustainable levels.
- Cod: Cod stocks in both the Eastern and Western Baltic remain critically low. The Council has continued setting TACs for by-catches only, reducing the quotas by 28% and 22% for Eastern and Western Baltic cod, respectively.
- Sprat: The Council agreed to a 31% reduction in sprat catches to prevent further decline, a move welcomed by conservationists but seen as insufficient by some.
- Plaice: The plaice quota remains unchanged for 2025, despite healthy stocks. This decision takes into account the unintentional by-catch of Baltic cod during plaice fishing operations.
Environmental Groups Express Concerns
Despite some positive outcomes, the Council’s decision has drawn criticism from environmental groups. Cathrine Pedersen Schirmer, Senior Policy Advisor at FishSec, expressed disappointment at the increase in herring quotas, stating: “To rebuild the herring population, we urgently need more precautionary fishing limits, combined with other appropriate remedial measures.”
NGOs also criticised the decision to ignore scientific advice for zero TACs for severely depleted stocks like Eastern cod and Western herring, warning that continued overfishing will further degrade the already fragile Baltic Sea ecosystem.
Remi Cossetti, Fisheries Policy Officer at Seas At Risk, voiced concern: “Once again, fisheries ministers have set fishing quotas that overlook the essential needs of the Baltic Sea ecosystem. This irresponsible decision will exacerbate ecosystem decline and threaten the livelihoods of fishers and coastal communities.”
A Call for Stricter Conservation Measures
Environmental organisations are calling for stricter conservation measures, including trawl-free zones in essential habitats and enhanced monitoring to better manage fish populations. These groups argue that protecting the Baltic Sea’s biodiversity is critical for both marine ecosystems and the long-term sustainability of the fishing sector.
The Council’s agreement will be formally adopted at an upcoming meeting once final translations of the text are completed. The decision reflects ongoing efforts to address the Baltic Sea’s complex environmental challenges, but marine conservationists remain concerned about the potential long-term impacts on fish stocks and marine biodiversity.
Source: Press Release