The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) has today announced their advice for next year’s fishing possibilities in the Baltic Sea. These include the recommendation to stop all fishing for Eastern Baltic cod and Western spring spawning herring, as was the case last year.
The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) recently published its response to a European Commission request for advice on the seasonal migration patterns of European eel[1]. The paper contains an interesting summary of the knowledge that we have on migration patterns of European eel across the continent, including glass eel recruitment and silver eel escapement, but does not actually provide much advice on whether the current measures are having an effect or not, referring to data limitations and complexities.
Love eel and singing? Take part in the EuroFishion Song Contest
The recent assessment of the European Eel Regulation concludes that it remains relevant but implementation of several aspects is poor. Authors suggests future efforts should focus more on addressing non-fisheries related mortality, as well as continued reductions in fishing mortality, especially of glass eels. The long-term use of restocking as a key measure is questioned, and the need for a population-wide approach emphasised.
During today’s Q&A session, Virginius Sinkevičius the new European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, emphasised the importance of the protection of the oceans.
In February, the 13th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CSM COP13) agreed that an international Action Plan for European eel is needed and should be developed before the next Conference.
The Baltic Sea Advisory Council (BSAC), a publicly funded body providing advice on fisheries to the European Commission, has made a statement concerning the need for responsible fisheries management and the negative situation for eastern Baltic cod. The cod fishery has been closed since July 2019 and due to slow population recovery will likely remain so for several years to come.
On 14 April the Council approved a series of proposals amending the EMFF subsidy package, allowing for increased financial assistance for EU fishermen.
Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic BALTFISH has developed a common set of proposals that will increase the funds available to the fisheries and aquaculture sector. These measures are in addition to and compliment the European Commission proposals making further EU support available to the industry from 2 April.
The Waterloo Foundation has awarded the Fisheries Secretariat two years of funding for advocacy work in order to strengthen the management and conservation of European eel, and ultimately aid its recovery.