The New Baltic Fisheries Management plan is now EU Law

CCB • August 2, 2016

On July 20th, the new fisheries management plan for sprat, herring and cod became active EU law and thereby removed the old cod plan and amending the existing Technical regulation from 2005. CCB has been engaged in this new management plan from the start, even before the initial proposal was presented by the previous Commission and Commissioner Maria Damanaki. If this plan can help the fish stocks and secure a future for fishermen in the Baltic Sea is dependent on how the Member States now apply and implement the rules in it. If fishing quotas are not set in accordance with best scientific knowledge, the plan will little to no effect.

The regulation in all EU languages can be found here: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32016R1139

Joint NGO recommendations on Baltic Sea fishing opportunities for 2026

By CCB • June 17, 2025
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 to safeguard ecosystem needs and dynamics and allow for rapid recovery of Baltic Sea fish populations.

NGOs to EU decision makers: Commit to a Genuine Baltic Sea Recovery Plan

By CCB • May 28, 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 advice and prioritise long-term recovery over short-term economic gains.