The European Commission is concerned about fish stocks in the Baltic Sea and has released an updated chart for fishing opportunities in 2026, in some cases halving the allowed fishing quota for particular endangered species.
The change in quotas is part of the European Union’s Common Fisheries Policy, and more specifically, for the Baltic Sea, it follows the Baltic Sea multiannual management plan. The sea, which encompasses shores in eight EU member states, is considered the most polluted in Europe and is facing a loss of biodiversity, pollution, and overfishing. The EU strives to maintain a strict fishing quota, with scientific advice provided by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES).
“Too many fish stocks are close to collapsing and the ecosystem is worsening,” said Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis, showing what member states should do together with the EU: “We need to fully implement the EU legislation and take measures at all levels and in all policy areas, or this situation will continue over the coming years.”
Only fishing for salmon in the Gulf of Finland will have a marginally higher quota for 2026, while the quota for sprat will remain the same. Other common types of fish from the Baltic Sea will have significantly lower fishing quotas. Fishing quota for cod will be almost completely cut off for next year, with the Western cod variant seeing a whopping 84% cut of tonnage and the Eastern cod a 63% cut. Most types of herring will also have limited tonnage, with halved quotas across the various variants found in the Baltic Sea.
To support workers and businesses that may be impacted by those halved quotas that will diminish the workload, the EU makes available the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) to cope with the temporary halt in work and grants access to the European Social Fund Plus for those who want to pursue other skill trainings.
