Proposed fish quotas for EU in 2026 aim to address worries about the health of fish populations in the Baltic Sea.

The European Commission has unveiled its proposal for fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea for 2026, aiming to strike a balance between ecological resilience and the livelihoods of local fishers.

The Baltic Sea, facing critical environmental challenges such as biodiversity loss, eutrophication, and overfishing, is at the heart of the Commission's concerns. Fisheries Commissioner Costas Kadis has expressed his worry about the poor state of Baltic Sea fish stocks and their impact on local fishers.

The Commission's proposal is based on the latest scientific assessments from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). It aligns with the 2016 multiannual management plan for cod, herring, and sprat.

The Commission is proposing reductions for several stocks, including Bothnian herring (-62%), herring in the Gulf of Riga (-17%), plaice (-3%), salmon in the main basin (-27%), unavoidable by-catches of western Baltic cod (-84%), eastern Baltic cod (-63%), and western Baltic herring (-50%).

However, the Commission is maintaining quotas for central Baltic herring and sprat, and there are no changes in salmon TACs in the Gulf of Finland or any increases in quotas for any other fish stocks mentioned in the proposal.

The Commission is also proposing a 1% increase in salmon TACs in the Gulf of Finland.

In addition to managing these ten fish stocks, the Commission is planning to host the third Our Baltic conference in Stockholm on 30 September 2025, fostering regional collaboration in addressing the pressing issues in the Baltic Sea.

The organization involved in supporting the transition towards sustainable fisheries at the third Our Baltic Conference is yet to be announced. However, the Baltic Sea Conference is expected to involve key regional stakeholders connected to fisheries and marine policy.

The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) and the European Social Fund Plus will provide assistance through temporary cessation and skills development programs to support the transition towards sustainable fishing.

The proposal reaffirms the EU's commitment to achieving Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) targets, a significant step towards ensuring the long-term health of the Baltic Sea's fish stocks and the livelihoods of its fishers.

Proposed fish quotas for EU in 2026 aim to address worries about the health of fish populations in the Baltic Sea.