NGOs Welcome Commission's Precautionary Baltic Sea Fishing Limits for 2026

CCB • August 27, 2025

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 support these precautionary measures when the Council meets to decide final fishing limits in October.


Alarming Stock Status Demands Precautionary Action


The Commission's precautionary proposal reflects that the Baltic Sea marine ecosystem is in crisis. Of four herring populations, only the Gulf of Riga stock remains healthy. The population of the Central Baltic herring remains low, Bothnian herring stock has experienced steep decline, whilst western Baltic herring remains at critically low levels with scientists recommending zero catch since 2019.


The Baltic sprat population has also declined due to very low recruitment from 2021-2023. Despite minor signs of stock improvement, the predicted strong year class of 2024 is tied to a single survey in one area of the Baltic Sea. The positive recruitment forecast hence carries significant uncertainties.


The Commission has shown responsible leadership by proposing to maintain central Baltic herring and sprat catches unchanged whilst significantly reducing Bothnian herring fishing limit by 62% to protect these depleted stocks," says Cathrine Pedersen Schirmer, Senior Fisheries Policy Officer from FishSec.


Critical Role of Baltic Sea Forage Fish

Sprat and herring are not merely commercial species – they are the backbone of the Baltic Sea ecosystem. A recent report "Small Fish with a Big Impact" reveals that these small pelagic fish occupy a pivotal position in the Baltic Sea food web, serving as prey for top predators such as cod, salmon, seabirds and marine mammals, whilst simultaneously acting as predators of zooplankton.


This dual role makes them essential for transferring energy and nutrients from lower to higher trophic levels. "These small fish are the backbone of the Baltic Sea ecosystem," says Cathrine Pedersen Schirmer from FishSec. "The Commission's precautionary proposal on fishing limits on herring and sprat offers a vital opportunity to rebuild these depleted stocks – essential not only for marine biodiversity but for the long-term viability of Baltic fisheries."


Council Must Resist short sighted decisions

Due to the critical state of the majority of Baltic Sea small pelagic fish populations, NGOs call on EU Fisheries Ministers to resist industry pressure and support the Commission's proposal on precautionary fishing limits on herring and sprat at the upcoming October Agriculture and Fisheries Council, AGRIFISH.


Past Council decisions have repeatedly set fishing limits above scientifically advised levels, failing to meet legal obligations under both the Baltic Multiannual Plan and the Common Fisheries Policy. Article 4.6 of the Baltic Multiannual Plan specifically requires fishing limits be set in such a way that it ensures the probability of stocks falling below critical spawning stock biomass limits remains below 5% – a safeguard frequently ignored in political negotiations but fully respected in the Commission’s proposal.


The Commission demonstrates that it’s taking the dire situation in the Baltic Sea seriously. Ensuring healthy sprat and herring populations is a crucial step that could contribute to the rebuilding of depleted cod and salmon populations. Now it’s up to the EU fisheries ministers to decide on Baltic Sea fishing limits that allow for the recovery of Baltic Sea fish populations – for the benefit of people and nature - says Justyna Zajchowska, Fisheries Lead for WWF Baltic Sea Programme.



By adoption of the Commission's proposal on Baltic Sea fishing opportunities for 2026 the EU ministers would make a step towards implementation of the ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management - an important and legally binding objective of the EU Common Fisheries Policy.

By CCB February 24, 2026
Coalition Clean Baltic – CCB is a politically independent network, uniting 28 environmental non-profit organizations, as well as partners and experts from 11 countries surrounding the Baltic Sea. The main goal of CCB is to promote the protection and improvement of the environment and natural resources of the Baltic Sea region by encouraging new and constructive approaches and engaging people to become part of the solution instead of part of the problem. CCB Secretariat is based in Uppsala, Sweden. About the Role Coalition Clean Baltic (CCB) is seeking a Marine Policy Officer (parental leave cover) to join its International Secretariat and contribute substantively to regional and EU-level marine advocacy, with a particular focus on the Baltic Sea. The Marine Policy Officer will support the implementation of EU and international marine environmental policy frameworks — notably the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), the EU Maritime Spatial Planning Directive (MSPD) and the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) . All work is grounded in the promotion of ecosystem-based management. The role includes close collaboration with the rest of the Secretariat team as well as CCB member organisations to deliver policy initiatives, advocacy actions, and strategic programme objectives. The Marine Policy Officer will also support the International Secretariat in fundraising, with a focus on the EU LIFE operational grant application. Key Responsibilities Policy & Advocacy Support the implementation of CCB’s strategic plan on marine biodiversity policy. Contribute to marine policy advocacy at EU and at Baltic Sea regional levels (e.g. HELCOM, EU Commission expert groups). Provide input to the implementation and revision of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Collect evidence and views to provide NGO inputs to the forthcoming EU Ocean Act and related initiatives. Support the implementation of the Helsinki Convention and Baltic Sea Action Plan. Engage in the revision processes related to the Marine Spatial Planning Directive (MSPD). Programme & Grant Delivery Provide critical support in fundraising, i.e. project proposal development, especially for securing core grant funding (e.g. for the EU LIFE Programme and potentially Horizon programme). Contribute to CCB´s project management, implementation and reporting activities for various projects. Coordination & Monitoring Closely coordinate marine biodiversity policy work with CCB member organisations. Monitor global, EU, and regional marine policy developments. Liaise with partner NGOs and civil society organisations. Communications & Policy Products Draft position papers, policy briefings, consultation inputs and technical reports on relevant files. Support communications and outreach on marine policy issues. Help organise workshops, conferences, and stakeholder events. Represent CCB in policy dialogues, expert groups, and stakeholder forums at the EU and Baltic Sea level. Cross-organisational Support within the Secretariat and its members Contribute to other CCB thematic working areas as required. Profile We are seeking a policy professional who is: Solutions-oriented and adaptable Experienced in advocacy or campaigning Collaborative and team-driven Passionate about marine conservation Organised, diplomatic, and stakeholder-confident Required Qualifications & Experience Demonstrable professional experience in marine or environmental policy. Working knowledge of key EU frameworks, particularly the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Knowledge of Helcom BSAP is an asset. Postgraduate qualification in marine science, ecology, conservation, water management, or related discipline with substantial marine focus. Eligibility to work and travel within the EU (citizenship or valid permit) with residency in Sweden. Excellent written and spoken English. CCB also welcomes applicants from broader environmental policy/law backgrounds who can demonstrate relevant knowledge. Desirable Skills Experience within the NGO or civil society sector preferred. Advocacy or campaigning experience within the EU, the Baltic Sea or international environmental policy processes. Working knowledge of a Baltic Sea region language (e.g. Swedish, Danish, Finnish, German, Polish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian).
By CCB February 19, 2026
Uppsala, February 2025 - CCB supports the Ocean Pact and Ocean Act objectives for improving coherence, coordination and effectiveness of EU ocean governance. Yet, in order to achieve this, the Act has to deliver truly ecosystem-based management of our seas and make reaching Good Environmental Status, as defined in the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), a cornerstone of the Act. The Ocean Act can set us on a path to recovery of the marine environment under a sustainable and just blue economy, but only if the Act includes the points outlined below and is implemented swiftly and fully.