Illegal fishing in the Baltic Sea region
Published: 21/06/2006The scientific advice provided by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) on the state of Baltic Sea fish stocks highlights that illegal fishing for some species is widespread and unsustainable. Moreover, ICES maintains that such illegal activities severely compromises their ability to produce sound, science-based advice on several commercial fisheries in the region.
For example, estimates of illegal catches of cod are in the region of 40 per cent of the total catch, which is both unsustainable and unacceptable. Given the apparent pervasive nature of illegal fishing in the Baltic Sea, it is the intention of the Fisheries Secretariat (FISH) to undertake an initial 6 month scoping study to review the illegal fishing problem and subsequently, if appropriate, recommend how the organisation and other relevant stakeholders could effectively contribute to improving compliance with applicable European fisheries regulations in the Baltic.
Scoping study: brief overview
The scoping study will describe the illegal fishing problem, taking into account social, economic and environmental considerations. In addition, a review of the legislative and institutional frameworks within the Baltic Sea, and how they operate with respect to commercial fisheries will be undertaken.
The potential to improve compliance with the regulations will be closely considered. In addition, possible opportunities for FISH and other relevant stakeholders to effectively engage and contribute to improving the situation overall will be explored. A critical consideration will also be to identify funding sources to support any future work programme on illegal fishing. The scoping study will be undertaken between September 2005 and March 2006.
Intended outcomes
The intended outcomes of the scoping study include, but may not be limited to:
- Improvement in the understanding of the:
- causes and effects of illegal fishing;
- extent and scale of illegal fishing in the Baltic Sea;
- structure and operating practices of the catching and marketing sectors;
- European and Member State policies, as well as legal and institutional frameworks associated with management and compliance.
- Identification of opportunities for improving compliance.
- Recommendations on how FISH and others might best undertake independent and/or collaborative work with other stakeholders that will directly or indirectly contribute to improving compliance with European fisheries regulations in the Baltic Sea region.
Contact person
- Paul Knapman
- Tel: +46 8 25 07 90
- E-mail: paul.knapman@fishsec.org