Despite the criticism – proposals for increased fishing in the Baltic Sea

Despite constant warnings, the European Commission is proposing an increase in fishing in the Baltic Sea for next year.

´Scientists are telling us that the outlook for certain pelagic fish stocks in the Baltic Sea is looking better for 2027. This gives us hope that our cautious approach in recent years is now beginning to pay off,´ writes Fisheries Commissioner Costas Kadis in a press release setting out proposals for next year’s quotas.

These include increased quotas for herring in the Baltic Sea: up by 3 per cent in the Bothnian Sea and the Bothnian Bay, and by as much as 49 per cent in the central parts. The sprat quota is also proposed to be raised significantly, by 44 per cent.

Reductions are, however, proposed for the already low levels of cod and herring in the western Baltic Sea, which are only permitted as by-catches.

Decisions on the quotas will be taken by the EU member states’ fisheries ministers this autumn.

^{Cover photo: EU Fisheries Commissioner Costas Kadis at a press conference with Minister for Rural Affairs Peter Kullgren (KD) at Arlanda last autumn.}