EU – Baltic States, Foodstuff, Good for Business, Modern EU, Water

The Commission proposes to increase catch limits for 6 out of 10 fish stocks (Western, Bothnian and Central herring, sprat, plaice and main basin salmon) and to decrease catch limits for 2 stocks (Gulf of Riga herring and Gulf of Finland salmon).

The Commission is collecting more information before proposing catch limits for the remaining 2 stocks (Western and Eastern cod).

The Commission's proposal is in line with the Commission's Communication on Fishing Opportunities for 2017. See: Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council, Consultation on the fishing opportunities for 2017 under the Common Fisheries Policy, COM (2016) 396 final.

Commissioner Karmenu Vella, responsible for the Environment, Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, underlined that “making Europe's fisheries sustainable is a key deliverable of the EU's Common Fisheries Policy”. He added that new fishing rules are based on sustainability and shall be “good news” for all those who have an interest in healthy fisheries, first and foremost fishermen themselves. (Brussels, 29 August 2016).

Advantages

In socio-economic terms the Commission’s proposal is to improve both fishery and overall economic performance in the Baltic Sea, in spite of significant differences across fleets segments and fisheries. This proposal could increase both profits by €13 million and employment at sea basin level.

The biggest proposed quota reduction concerns plaice, whose catch limit under this proposal would rise by 95%. This reflects the good shape of the stock, which has been growing since 2008. It is also due to the fact that, from 2017 onwards, fishermen will have to land all plaice they catch in an effort to eliminate the wasteful practice of discarding.

At the same time, the state of the Western Baltic cod does not seem to have improved this year, according to the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). Fishing pressure from commercial and recreational fisheries remains high, and past measures have not had the desired effect in helping the stock to recover.

The Commission is examining with national authorities and stakeholders – including commercial and recreational fishermen – which steps are needed to give this stock a chance to recover, while also ensuring the economic viability of the fishing industry.

EU states can use allocations from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) to support fishermen through a period of necessary quota reductions. The Commission has already assured the Baltic States’ authorities of its support in making such funding available quickly and efficiently.

In addition, the Commission has asked its scientific advisory body STECF to analyse the impact of recreational fishing on Baltic cod stocks and assess different possible stock management measures. The Commission will propose catch limits for the Baltic cod stocks (Western and Eastern) once these clarifications are available.

The proposal will be discussed by the EU-28 members’ fisheries ministers at the October Fisheries Council in Luxembourg. The Baltic Sea Advisory Council (BSAC) has also been consulted.

Table: Overview of TAC changes 2016-2017 (figures in tones except for salmon, which is in number of pieces)

Reference: European Commission, press release, in: 

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-16-2849_en.htm