News
November 4, 2025
Press Release: No catches of European eel in 2026 can be in line with scientific advice
Widespread exploitation of the critically endangered European eel population continues against scientific advice, despite few signs of recovery. Today, the International Exploration of the Sea, ICES, published its scientific advice on fishing opportunities and conservation for European eel for 2026. As in previous years, ICES advises zero catch for all life stages, all uses and … Continued
October 28, 2025
Fisheries Ministers Risk Breaking EU Law, Jeopardising Baltic Sea Recovery
EU Council decision on 2026 fishing limits fails to implement legally required safeguards, jeopardising the fragile marine ecosystem Luxembourg – 28th of October 2025 – Environmental organisations across Europe (Baltic Salmon Fund, Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland, Coalition Clean Baltic, Danmarks Naturfredningsforening, Deutsche Umwelthilfe, FishSec, Oceana, Östersjölaxälvar i samverkan, Pasaules dabas fonds, Seas At … Continued
October 24, 2025
Small fish, big impact: time for ecosystem based management
Key takeaways from last week’s Brussels event Small pelagic fish play a big role in keeping Europe’s seas healthy. Yet, despite their crucial ecological and economic importance, forage fish such as sprat, herring and sandeel have long remained in the shadows of policy and public attention. Last week on October 16, experts, policymakers, politicians, fisheries … Continued
August 29, 2025
Joint NGO Response to Consultation on Sustainable Fishing Opportunities for 2026
Nearly 30 organisations, including NGOs and recreational fishing representatives from across Europe, have submitted a joint response to the European Commission’s consultation on sustainable fishing opportunities for 2026. The submission sets out recommendations to align catch limits with the Common Fisheries Policy, apply precautionary and ecosystem-based management, and prioritise the recovery of depleted stocks. It … Continued
August 27, 2025
NGOs Welcome Commission’s Precautionary Baltic Sea Fishing Limits for 2026
Council Must Follow Commission’s Lead to Protect Critical Small Pelagic Fish Populations 27 August 2025 – Environmental NGOs (Deutsche Umwelthilfe, FishSec, Swedish Society for Nature Conservation and WWF Baltic Sea Programme) welcome the European Commission’s proposal for 2026 Baltic Sea fishing opportunities, published on the 26th of August. The organisations urge EU Fisheries Ministers to … Continued
August 27, 2025
Commission proposes fishing opportunities for 2026 in the Baltic Sea
On the 26th of August 2025 the European Commission released its proposal for the Fishing Opportunities in the Baltic Sea for 2026. This proposal reflects a continued critical situation for several key stocks, leading to significant reductions in catch limits to promote long-term sustainability. In line with our standard practice of sharing news and updates … Continued
July 17, 2025
New Report Launch: Small Fish – Big Impact
Why the Baltic Sea’s Forage Fish Need Urgent Protection The Baltic Sea is changing, and so are the populations of the small fish at its heart. Forage fish such as sprat and herring are critical to the health of the Baltic Sea ecosystem. They serve as a vital food source for predators like cod, salmon, seabirds … Continued
July 17, 2025
Joint Briefing Series to Support Sustainable Fisheries Management
This comprehensive Briefing Series, which was produced/supported by 29 environmental NGOs and recreational fisheries representatives, aims to assist decision-makers in the European Union (European Commission, Council of the EU, and Member States) and the United Kingdom (UK Government and devolved administrations) toward more sustainable and ecosystem-based decisions when setting fishing opportunities in a way that: Finally … Continued
June 17, 2025
Joint NGO recommendations on Baltic Sea fishing opportunities for 2026
On Wednesday, 28 May, the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) published its scientific advice for fish stocks in the Baltic Sea. In response, environmental NGOs from around the Baltic Sea region urge the European Commission to propose, and fisheries ministers to adopt, fishing opportunities at levels well below the headline advice … Continued
May 28, 2025
NGOs to EU decision makers: Commit to a Genuine Baltic Sea Recovery Plan
Press release. Copenhagen, 28 May 2025. Key Baltic fish populations are in crisis, warn environmental NGOs. New scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, ICES, confirms the poor condition of key Baltic fish populations, several of which remain collapsed (1). EU fisheries ministers must set 2026-catch limits well below ICES … Continued