On Tuesday, EU member states reached an agreement on fishing regulations in the Baltic Sea, allowing continued fishing of pressured stocks despite biological and EU Commission warnings.
Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Jacob Jensen (V) acknowledged that the environmental situation is “under pressure,” but expressed satisfaction that quotas for certain vulnerable species have been preserved.
“I am pleased that, as the presidency country, we have achieved a compromise with broad support among member states,” said Jacob Jensen in a press release.
The Danish Minister of Fisheries led the negotiations during Denmark’s EU presidency.
The EU Commission’s proposal included significant reductions for species such as cod and herring based on scientific recommendations.
In contrast to the advice, member countries decided to keep herring and cod bycatch quotas unchanged from this year’s levels in the western Baltic Sea.
Real quotas for herring fishing have been maintained in three additional areas of the Baltic Sea.
Meanwhile, the quota for sprat has increased by 41 percent. Sprat, a type of herring, is primarily utilized for fishmeal and fish oil production, as well as being sold as boneless herring.
The plaice quota has been reduced by three percent, aligning with the recommendations from biologists and the EU Commission.
“This compromise strikes the right balance, allowing fishing for the species and quantities advised while also safeguarding the overexploited fish stocks,” stated Jacob Jensen.
A ban on recreational cod fishing will remain in place, and cod fishing will be entirely prohibited during the spawning season across the Baltic Sea.
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