The EU plans to implement the most stringent reduction measures in history for Baltic cod fishing.

Published 2025년 9월 1일

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Core Tip: On Tuesday, the European Commission released a proposal for fishing quotas in the Baltic Sea for 2026, suggesting significant reductions in the catch of multiple fish species to address the severe decline in fishery resources in the region. The most striking proposal is the restriction on cod: the bycatch quota for cod in the Western Baltic Sea will be reduced by 84%, leaving only 42 tons; in the Eastern Baltic Sea, the reduction will be 63%, down to 159 tons. Meanwhile, in the Bothnian Sea, the proposed reduction for herring is 62% to 25,560 tons, and for the Western Baltic Sea herring, the reduction is 50% to 394 tons.

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The proposal is based on the latest scientific assessment by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and aligns with the multi-year management plans for cod, herring, and sprat in the EU. In addition to cod and herring, the European Commission also recommends a 17% reduction in Baltic Sea herring, a 27% reduction in Baltic Sea Atlantic salmon, and a 3% reduction in Baltic Sea plaice. In contrast, the quota for salmon in the Gulf of Finland will be slightly increased by 1% to 10,232 tons, while the quotas for herring and sprat in the central Baltic Sea will remain unchanged at 83,881 tons and 139,500 tons, respectively. EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Costas Kadis stated, "Overfished populations in the Baltic Sea are on the brink of collapse, and the ecosystem is deteriorating continuously. It is imperative to fully implement EU regulations, otherwise the problem will persist for many years." The European Council will review and decide ...

Source: Foodmate