POST Online Media Lite Edition



 

Commission proposes fishing opportunities for 2024 in Baltic Sea

Christian Fernsby |
The Commission has adopted its proposal for the 2024 fishing opportunities for the Baltic Sea in response to a scientific assessment that indicates several fisheries are in a dire situation.

Article continues below




The Commission proposed yesterday the total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas for three out of the ten stocks managed in the Baltic Sea. The remaining quota proposals will be established at a later stage.

The Commission proposes to increase fishing opportunities for salmon in the Gulf of Finland by 7%, while proposing to decrease fishing of salmon in the main basin by 15%, and to decrease herring catches in the Gulf of Riga by 20%.

As for the other stocks in the Baltic (western cod, eastern cod, western herring, Bothnian herring, central herring, sprat and plaice), the Commission has requested additional information from the International Council on the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) to take better account of the fact that cod is caught together with flatfish, and herring together with sprat.

Scientists estimate that the size of the central Baltic herring stock has been around or below minimum levels since the early 1990s.

The stock size of Bothnian herring fell below healthy levels due to the lower number of young fish and the smaller size of older fish.

The Commission therefore proposes to close the targeted fisheries for both stocks, and to maintain the closure for the targeted fisheries on cod stocks, western herring and salmon in most of the main basin.

The Commission will propose setting by-catch TACs for western cod, eastern cod, western herring, Bothnian herring and central herring on the basis of additional information expected in autumn.

This proposal will allow vessels to land the unavoidable catches of each of these weak stocks when fishing for example for plaice or sprat.

The proposed TACs are based on the best available scientific advice from ICES and follow the Baltic multiannual management plan adopted in 2016 by the European Parliament and the Council.

Cod

For eastern Baltic cod, the Commission intends to keep a catch limit for unavoidable by-catches and all the accompanying measures decided in.

Additionally, the Commission suggests removing the exemption from the spawning closure for certain herring fisheries. Despite the measures taken since 2019, when scientists first warned about the poor status of cod, the situation has not yet improved.

The condition of western Baltic cod is weak, and the biomass was at its lowest levels in 2022. This is probably due to a significant natural mortality, which scientists are not yet able to fully understand.

The Commission therefore proposes to maintain the TAC limited to unavoidable by-catches and all the accompanying measures from 2023, but to remove recreational fisheries and the exemption from the spawning closure for certain herring fisheries.

Herring

The stock size of western Baltic herring remains below healthy levels. The Commission proposes to maintain the TAC limited to unavoidable by-catches and to remove the exemption for small-scale coastal fisheries.

For herring in the Gulf of Bothnia, the Commission also proposes to close the targeted fisheries and to set a TAC limited to unavoidable by-catches. The scientific assessment states that the likelihood of the stock size falling below the minimum level would be above 5% even if there were no catches.

The stock size of central Baltic herring fell below the minimum levels. The Commission therefore proposes to close the targeted fishery and to limit the TAC to unavoidable by-catches.

Consequently, unlike before, the catches of central Baltic herring in the Gulf of Riga should no longer be included in the fishing opportunities for herring in the Gulf of Riga. The resulting scientific catch advice suggests a decrease of 23%, but the Commission proposes to limit the decrease to 20%, as the stock is healthy.

Plaice

While scientific advice would allow for a considerable increase, the Commission remains cautious, mainly to protect cod – which is an unavoidable by-catch when fishing for plaice. At the same time, new measures to reduce cod by-catches through alternative fishing gear will be implemented soon. The Commission therefore requested additional information from ICES before proposing a TAC.

Sprat

Scientific advice for sprat recommends a small decrease in catches. However, sprat is caught together with herring – especially central herring – whose biomass is below minimum levels. Therefore, the level of catches needs to take this factor into consideration. The Commission also requested additional information from ICES before proposing a TAC.

Salmon

The status of the different river salmon populations in the main basin varies considerably, with some remaining weak and others healthy. To achieve healthy levels, ICES advised two years ago the closure of all salmon fisheries in the main basin.

At the same time, ICES assessed it would be possible to maintain certain fisheries during the summer in the coastal waters of the Gulf of Bothnia and the Åland Sea.

ICES maintained the principle of its advice but limited the geographical area to the Bothnian Bay and decreased the related catch level. The Commission therefore proposes adjusting the fishing opportunities and the accompanying rules accordingly.

Based on these proposals, EU countries will take a final decision to determine the maximum quantities of the most important commercial fish species that can be caught in the Baltic Sea basin.

The Council will examine the Commission's proposal in view of adopting it during a Ministerial meeting on 23-24 October.


What to read next

Some Baltic fish still in crisis as EU starts to consider ecosystem impacts
EU must respond to Baltic Sea fast, group of organizations demands
Latvia's fish catch down 32 percent in 2015

Heavy snow continues in Southern Rockies

 
A significant heavy snow event is underway over portions of the central/southern Rockies and High Plains early Friday.
 
 

Latest

U.S. rig count stays same, Canadian falls
Nebraska Governor leads state delegation to Czech Republic and Germany
IQE, Inc. to add 109 jobs in Greensboro, North Carolina
CMC Electronics will create 89 new jobs in Reston, Virginia

NEWS

Spanish government announces 10.6B euro aid for flood-hit area

Excessive rainfall and flooding threat in Puerto Rico and New Mexico
Record heat in southern U.S.
Peru's ex-president Alejandro Toledo sentenced to 20 years in prison over corruption
U.S. weather: Dry in east; active pattern for west
Finland wins European Transport Safety Council’s road safety prize for 2024
 

BUSINESS

U.S. now second-largest supplier of goods to Netherlands

U.S. oil and gas rig count unchanged stays at 585
Governor Moore commends launch of double-stack rail operations at Port of Baltimore
Iran lifts ban on brand-new Apple phones import
Istanbul provides free public transport for unemployed residents
EIB backs Gran Canaria with €300 million loan for Salto de Chira hydroelectric project
 

Trending Now

Romania eyes restart of sheep exports to Morocco

IQE, Inc. to add 109 jobs in Greensboro, North Carolina

Fraport tests sustainable asphalt based on cashew nuts

€700,000 from European Globalisation Adjustment Fund will support 632 dismissed workers in Belgium


POLITICS

Australia finalises trade deal with UAE

Canada orders TikTok to close its business in country
​Sweden rejects plans for 13 wind farms over Russian missile threat
€700,000 from European Globalisation Adjustment Fund will support 632 dismissed workers in Belgium
New Jersey Governor Murphy to lead economic mission to UK
Indonesia bans sales of Google's Pixel smartphones
 

Today We Recommend

Spanish government announces 10.6B euro aid for flood-hit area


Highlights 

IQE, Inc. to add 109 jobs in Greensboro, North Carolina

CMC Electronics will create 89 new jobs in Reston, Virginia

Changi Airport to invest S$3 billion on upgrading facilities


COMPANIES

Changi Airport to invest S$3 billion on upgrading facilities

Fraport tests sustainable asphalt based on cashew nuts
Rio Tinto and China’s State Power Investment Corporation to trial battery swap truck technology
Hapag-Lloyd invests $4B in 24 new container ships
MEPPI will create at least 200 new jobs in Southwestern Pennsylvania
Solarcycle will create 640 new full-time jobs in Polk County, Georgia
 

CAREERS

President and CEO of Fortaco to retire

Stellantis leverages its management organisation
African Development Bank appoints director general for East Africa
Mars announces new leadership within its petcare business
OCI Global announces leadership changes
Ethypharm appoints Éric Chevalier as group human resources director
 

ECONOMY

Fraser Institute: Canada’s debt ranking falls from best in G7 to 7th worst

Kuwait reports $5.2 bln budget deficit in FY 2023-24
Eurozone reports modest Q1 GDP growth, stable annual inflation
Italy sees faster economic growth in Q1
Slovenia's economy expected to grow 0.9 pct in Q1
Italy faces deficit infringement procedure
 

EARNINGS

Ericsson Q2 sales down but North America up

Lockton revenue $3.55 billion
Motorcar Parts of America Q4 sales $189.5 million
Limoneira Q2 revenue $44.6 million
Lululemon athletica Q1 revenue increased 10% to $2.2 billion
PVH Q1 GAAP EBIT $205 million
 

OP-ED

Micromanaging is the worst enemy of efficiency and teamwork

Niger set to monetize massive gas reserves through Saharan natural gas pipeline
Putting the brakes on EV folly that choked the market
Oil discovery in Kavango Basin may mean huge benefits for Namibians
Cape Town and Dubai battle over Africa's energy future
Is America going to lose its superpower status?
 

AGRIFISH

Albania fights bird flu with poultry import ban

Romania eyes restart of sheep exports to Morocco
U.S. confirms H5N1 bird flu in swine for first time
Bluetongue outbreaks escalate in Czech Republic
French farmers to resume nationwide protests in November
Greece on alert after outbreak of sheep pox
 

LEADERSHIP

Study: Missing a deadline has a bigger impact than you might think

Employers prefer younger job candidates for AI roles although experienced workers perform same or better
Study finds workers misjudge wage markets
Some organizations may need to expand their hierarchical structures earlier than others
Study finds there's right way and wrong way to deliver negative feedback in workplace
Allyship is critical and its needs appreciation
 

CRIME

BHP, Vale agree to pay $30B damages for Brazil dam disaster

Commission fines České dráhy and Österreichische Bundesbahnen €48.7 million over collusion to exclude common compe
SEC charges Keurig with making inaccurate statements regarding recyclability of K-Cup beverage pod
SEC charges John Deere with FCPA violations for subsidiary’s role in Thai bribery scheme
AG Bonta secures $3.9 million settlement with cryptocurrency company Robinhood
Italy issues $6.4 million fine over Chinese cars badged as Italian
 

Magazine

TRAVEL

Radisson Hotel Group debuts in the heart of Tunisia’s capital city, Tunis

Morocco’s first Radisson branded hotel opens in Casablanca
Buna channels, an unreal and beautiful part of Bosnia and Herzegovina
JW Marriott unveils Mindful Haven with opening of JW Marriott Hotel Nairobi
Sotheby's Sports Week returns with fantastic artifacts
Red Roof properties open in Michigan
 

SEA, LAND, AIR

Citroën C3 Aircross, the most affordable compact SUV with 7 seats

2025 Chevrolet Equinox stands apart with fresh looks and capability
Hill Helicopters HX50, luxury in the sky
Opel Movano becomes fully equipped camper van
Porsche Panamera, new hybrid variants
Dodge Charger, 670 horsepower of electric
 

DESIGN

Cold night, hot fire pit, cool entertainment

Embellish your home with PVC panels
You'll have to hurry if you want one of 20 new Louis Vuitton watches
Luxury duvet looks good, fells good and keeps you healthy
Vacheron Constantin, watches for life and more
Schüller kitchens, where functionality marries design
 

GADGETS

MESA/Boogie Celebrates 40-year partnership with John Petrucci

reMarkable 2, monochrome tablet for your thoughts and your eyes
OnePlus Ace 3V, first with Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 3
ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra, flagship with a reason
Samsung Galaxy S24 is photography powerhouse
Casette tapes are making a big comeback, and so are portable players
 

HEALTH

One more barrier to developing vaccine for HIV removed

Rwanda begins world's first clinical trial for treatment of Marburg virus disease
Rwanda restricts gatherings amid Marburg virus outbreak, to begin trials of vaccine
Teksas Attorney General reaches settlement in first-of-its-kind healthcare generative AI investigation
Potentially deadly fungal disease spreading in California
First mpox vaccines arrive in Africa
 

MEANTIME

Einstein Telescope step closer

Exoplanet-hunting telescope to begin search for another Earth in 2026
India to build first phase of its own space station by 2028
Roscosmos chief approves schedule of creating Russian orbital station through 2033
Potentially habitable 'exo-Venus' with Earth-like temperature discovered
Rare species of wild bees discovered in Berlin