News
September 21, 2021
A coalition for the Return of Baltic cod has been formed
The Return of the cod project, which started at the beginning of 2021, aims to compile the current knowledge and scientific research concerning the state of the Baltic cod in order to work out and implement measures to recover the eastern cod stock. The Return of the Cod (RoC) project has progressed since its onset … Continued
September 17, 2021
National monitoring programme to include genetic diversity in fish stocks
At a recent seminar in Simrishamn, Sweden, a new research programme that will investigate genetic diversity as part of environmental monitoring and ecosystem-based management, including the impact of fishing on herring sub-populations in the Baltic Sea, was announced.
August 26, 2021
Commission Baltic TAC proposal – only Riga herring doing well
Today the European Commission adopted their proposal for fishing opportunities for Baltic Fisheries 2022. The proposal mostly follows the ICES advice and proposes a TAC within the lower range for sprat and plaice considering the poor situation of the cod. For the Western herring it is suggested to close all direct fishery and a bycatch … Continued
June 29, 2021
One-third of global high seas fishing done by only 100 companies
Seafood companies rarely disclose what or where they are fishing. To provide an overview of the fishing industry in the high seas—the area beyond national jurisdiction—researchers linked fishing activity in the high seas to vessel owners and corporate actors. They identified 1,120 corporate actors for 2,482 vessels (∼2/3 of high seas fishing vessels and effort … Continued
June 29, 2021
EU fishermen call consumers to boycott seafood products from Norway
The UK departure from the EU has altered the fisheries governance and political scenario in the Northeast Atlantic. In a move to take advantage of the new situation, Norway seems to have abandoned the path of dialogue and good cooperation, unilaterally deciding to unlawfully grab EU fish quota, writes Europêche in a press release. This … Continued
June 23, 2021
Baltic salmon exemption from landing obligation extended
The Commission has adopted an Delegated Regulation extending the exemption of Baltic salmon from the discard ban (landing obligation) set out in the Common Fisheries Policy. This is a current exemption which only applies to Baltic salmon caught in certain types of traps, which expired on 31 December 2020.
June 18, 2021
Mixed box in ICES advice on Baltic fishing opportunities for 2022
The International Council of the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) has released the advice for fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea for next year. There is no sign of recovery for depleted populations, such as eastern Baltic cod and western spring spawning herring. Yet again, zero catch is advised for both stocks.. A substantial decline in central Baltic herring has resulted in advice to cut the quota. Some stocks are doing better, including the reassessed herring populations in the Bothnian Sea, herring in the Gulf of Riga, sprat and most flatfish populations.
June 16, 2021
Report: Fisheries closures fail to protect critically endangered eel
The European eel has been in decline for decades and is on the IUCN Red list as Critically Endangered. Despite this, a wide-spread commercial and recreational fishery is allowed to continue in the EU. In 2017, a Joint Declaration to aid its recovery was adopted, including national three-month fishing closures to protect eel migration. Our report shows that many Member States are more likely to protect their fishing sector than the eels.
June 11, 2021
EU council approves EU-UK agreement on fishing opportunities
Today the EU Council approved the agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom on fishing opportunities for 2021 and, for deep-sea stocks, for 2021 and 2022. This agreement is the result of several rounds of consultations between the EU and the UK over the last five months. Amongst other provisions, it sets out … Continued
June 1, 2021
Great visual tool for eel shown at final SUDOANG event
Over the last couple of days, the final event of the SUDOANG project was held online. The project set out to investigate why the European eel is not recovering, despite the agreed EU regulation (1100/2007) having been implemented for more than 10 years, and what improvements are needed to help save the eel. It has … Continued