Proposals for 2026 fishing opportunities reflect the dire state of the Baltic. Of the ten stocks managed by the EU, sprat and central Baltic herring quotas are rollovers from the previous year and the Gulf of Finland salmon fishery is set to increase by 1% – while others are all expected to be subject to substantial reductions.
In outlining its proposals for 2026 fisheries, the EU Commission states that ‘the Baltic Sea is the most polluted sea in Europe. It has been affected by biodiversity loss, climate change, eutrophication, overfishing, and elevated levels of certain contaminants,’ while setting out that ‘various pressures which have led to the degradation of the Baltic Sea’s biodiversity, such as high nutrient inputs and persistently high levels of contaminants.’
The Commission proposes to decrease fishing of Bothnian herring (-62%), herring in the Gulf of Riga (-17%), plaice (-3%) and salmon in the main basin (-27%), as well as allocations for unavoidable by-catches of western Baltic cod (-84%), eastern Baltic cod (-63%) and western Baltic herring (-50%).
For eastern Baltic cod, the intention is to maintain a catch limit for unavoidable by-catches and all the accompanying measures which have already been in place for several years. Despite measures taken since 2019, when scientists first warned about the poor status of cod, the situation has not improved. The situation is similar for western Baltic cod. The Commission is proposing to adjust the by-catch TAC to actual needs, and to keep all the accompanying measures.
‘I am worried about the poor state of the Baltic Sea fish stocks and the impact that this has on local fishers. Too many fish stocks are close to collapsing and the ecosystem is worsening,’ said Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis.
‘We need to fully implement the EU legislation and take measures at all levels and in all policy areas or this situation will continue over the coming years. We must rebuild fish stocks and reinforce the ecosystem in the Baltic. This must be a joint effort.’
