Stockholm – “The situation for the Baltic Sea is critical. While there has been progress in certain areas, the overall condition continues to worsen,” stated the EU’s fisheries commissioner Costas Kadis during a recent press conference linked to a conference in Stockholm, where environment and fisheries ministers from Baltic Sea nations convened to address the issue.
Kadis particularly highlighted alarming research findings regarding herring and sprat populations in the Gulf of Bothnia and the Bothnian Bay.
“These stocks are at some of the lowest recorded levels. Their loss would be disastrous,” he noted.
Looking ahead, the fisheries commissioner hopes for limited quotas when fisheries ministers gather in Luxembourg at the end of October to finalize catch limits for the upcoming year.
The Swedish government has opposed the EU Commission’s recommendation to halt herring fishing. Despite the alarming situation, the possibility of a total fishing ban has not been considered, according to rural affairs minister Peter Kullgren.
“If we struggle to maintain low quotas, how could we possibly enforce a complete ban? Given the current circumstances, I don’t believe it’s feasible,” he remarked.
Swedish climate and environment minister Romina Pourmokhtari emphasized that all participants acknowledged the seriousness of the situation.
“However, we differ on how to address this issue. Sweden advocates for robust measures against overfishing, as well as actions concerning seals and cormorants,” she informed TT.
She specifically identified Finland as being opposed to these measures.
(September 30)
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