It's both plus and minus in the fish stock when the Commission presents the fish figures that the ministers will decide on in October.
The proposals are based on science that shows a frightening situation for many fish stocks, according to the Commission.
The fishing quotas for salmon are decreasing, as are those for herring. On the other hand, the quota for herring in the central Baltic Sea is proposed to increase by 108 percent and for herring in the Riga Bay by 10 percent to 83,881 and 41,635 tons, respectively, since these belong to stocks that, according to the Commission, have become larger.
The catch quota for herring in the western Baltic Sea – only bycatch is allowed – is proposed to be halved, to 394 tons.
The issue of herring in the Bothnian Sea was one of the major discussion topics for 2024, and here the Commission has not taken a stand, but announces that they will return with a figure.
The proposal for quotas is based on the advice of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). Decisions on fishing quotas will be made at the Council of Ministers meeting on 21-22 October.
Fact: Fishing quotas for 2025
TT
Parts of the EU Commission's proposal for catch quotas for herring and sprat in the Baltic Sea 2025 (comparison in percent with 2024 in parentheses):
Herring in the Bothnian Sea and Bay: Coming later
Herring in the western Baltic Sea: 394 tons, only as bycatch (- 50)
Herring in the central Baltic Sea: 83,881 tons (+108)
Herring in the Riga Bay: 41,635 tons (+10)
Herring: 117,070 tons (-42)
Source: EU Commission