Today seven Polish NGOs forwarded a joint position on cod fishing in the Baltic Sea. The position is addressed at Polish officials and fishermen, referring to the threat imposed by Polish fishermen to oppose the EU Commission ban on Polish cod fishing in the Eastern Baltic on 15 September when the summer closure ends.
Greenpeace Poland, WWF Poland, Green federation GAJA, EKO UNIA, Fundacja Nasza Ziemia, Klub GAJA and Polish Ecological Club (PKE) signed the letter ”LET’S GIVE THE BALTIC COD POPULATION A CHANCE TO REGENERATE ”.
The letter emphasises the fact that if Polish fishermen oppose the Commission decision on a closure of Polish trawling for cod until the 2007, and start fishing after 15 September – when the summer ban for cod fishing ends, the European Commission will impose sanctions, including the European Court of Justice procedure. The commission order to halt Polish trawling for cod in the Eastern Baltic is in effect since 6 August.
The letter draws the attention to the fact that both the administration, scientists, NGOs and the Commission should speak with one voice on the most important issue at the moment: how to rebuild Baltic cod resources for the interest of Baltic fisheries.
The letter also draws parallels between the Baltic Sea and the example of the New Foundland cod fishery where irresponsible management led to a total collapse of cod stocks. It further draws the attention to the fact that Poland has the possibility to use money from subsidies such as the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) to compensate Polish fishermen for staying in port or for alternative employment.
The joint position can be downloaded below.