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EU Council agrees ‘sustainable’ Baltic Sea fishing quotas for 2025
- Sprat: The Council agreed too reduce the total allowable catches for sprat by 31%, following scientific advice, to prevent a decline below sustainable levels.
- Salmon: The council decided to decrease catch limits by 36% for salmon in the main basin adn to maintain last year’s TAC for salmon in the Gulf of Finland.
Baltic Sea Brief 62: Four measures for Baltic Sea fisheries in 2024
- The majority of the sprat quota is also fished out at sea during the winter, which negatively impacts spawning stocks. This year, 80% of the sprat quota was already fished in March.The late spring fishing ban is considered ineffective and does not support small-scale coastal fishing for human consumption.
PDF Commission proposes fishing opportunities for 2024 in the Baltic Sea
- The Commission proposed total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas for three out of the ten stocks managed in the Baltic Sea in response to a scientific assessment indicating several fisheries are in a dire situation. The remaining quota proposals will be discussed further.
latvian Fisheries update
- In October 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture reported that Latvian fishermen’s ability to fish sprat in 2025 in the Baltic Sea will be preliminarily reduced by 30.6% compared to 2024, with a catch limit of up to 19,299 tonnes of sprat.
- In 2023, “Free Wave” had a turnover of EUR 12,677 million, which is 11.5% less than the previous year, while the company’s profit increased 2.2 times to 1.819 million euros.
Sustainable Fishing in the Baltic Sea: Expert interview wiht Dr. Maria Garcia, Marine Biologist
Table of Contents
In recent developments, the European Union has taken important steps to ensure the sustainability of Baltic Sea fisheries. With new fishing quotas for 2025 agreed upon, we speak with marine biologist Dr. Maria Garcia to gain insights into the implications and future of Baltic Sea fishing.
EU Council Agrees ’Sustainable’ Baltic Sea Fishing Quotas for 2025
Sprat: Conservation Measures
Editor: dr. Garcia, can you explain the recent decisions regarding sprat fishing quotas in the Baltic Sea?
Dr. Maria Garcia: Certainly. The EU Council decided to reduce the allowable catches for sprat by 31%. This decision follows scientific advice aimed at preventing a decline below sustainable levels. Sprat is a crucial species in the baltic Sea ecosystem,and maintaining healthy populations is vital for the overall balance.
Salmon: Catch Limit Adjustments
Editor: What about the salmon fishing quotas? The council decided to decrease catch limits by 36%.
Dr.Maria Garcia: Yes, the decrease in salmon catch limits is significant. This measure is targeted at maintaining healthy salmon stocks in the main basin. While the Gulf of Finland catches will remain the same as last year, reducing the overall pressure will help to sustain salmon populations in the region.
Four Measures for Baltic Sea Fisheries in 2024
Editor: Can you provide some context on the issues affecting the Baltic sea fisheries and the proposed solutions?
Dr. Maria Garcia: Indeed. One of the moast significant issues is the large-scale fishing of sprat during the winter, which negatively impacts spawning stocks. The proposed solutions include implementing more effective fishing bans and possibly adjusting quota distribution to better support small-scale,coastal fishing aimed at human consumption.
2024 Fishing Opportunities for the Baltic Sea
Editor: What is the European Commission doing about the current state of Baltic sea fisheries?
Dr. Maria Garcia: The European Commission has proposed total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas for three out of the ten managed stocks. This decision comes in response to the worrying state of several fisheries. Some schools will be closely managed, and further discussions will follow to address the remaining quota proposals.
Latvian Fisheries Update
Editor: How will Latvian fishermen be impacted by these quota changes in 2025?
Dr. maria Garcia: Latvia will experiance a reduction in the sprat fishing quota by 30.6% compared to 2024. Latvian fishermen will need to adapt their practices, focusing on more sustainable and less impactful fishing methods. Despite the economic pressure, reducing catches is necessary to ensure long-term sustainability.
Editor: Could you elaborate on how “Free Wave,” a company in the sector, is affected by these changes?
Dr. Maria Garcia: “Free Wave” has already seen changes in it’s turnover and profitability. The company’s decrease in turnover by 11.5% and increase in profit by 2.2 times indicate a strategic shift possibly towards more efficient or selective fishing methods. These quota adjustments will require further adaptation and innovation within the company.
Conclusion
The recent adjustments in fishing quotas are a critical step toward the sustainable management of Baltic Sea fisheries.with reduced catches for sprat and salmon, the EU aims to maintain healthy fish populations and support the long-term stability of marine ecosystems. Scientific input and further discussions are essential to ensure the success of these measures and create a balanced and viable future for Baltic Sea fisheries.
