Fishing ban on cod and herring: experts call for drastic measures!

Fishing ban on cod and herring: experts call for drastic measures!

There is currently a worrying state of fish stocks in the Baltic Sea, particularly cod and herring. A renowned fisheries scientist from Kiel, Rainer Froese from Geomar Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research, calls for an immediate stop to fishing for these species. Froese recommends stopping fishing activities for at least a year, ideally two to three years. This is urgently needed because the fish are often caught before they can reproduce. This means that not only their continued existence is in danger, but also the entire ecosystem of the Baltic Sea, which has been severely affected by over-fertilization, lack of oxygen and the use of bottom trawl nets.

The economic situation of the fishermen is critical. However, Froese does not see the fishermen as to blame, but emphasizes that in recent years they have often caught less than allowed. During the fishing stops, compensation must be provided to the affected fishermen in order to support them. Nevertheless, fishermen are still allowed to catch stable stocks such as plaice and other flatfish. Christoph Zimmermann from the Thünen Institute, however, warns against overturning existing exceptions for herring in the western Baltic Sea, which would be considered a “catastrophe” for fishermen.

Protection of stocks and catch quotas

Those too EU Commission has news regarding the catch quotas for the Baltic Sea: Proposals have been made for 2026 that take the status of the overfished stocks into account. Fisheries Commissioner Costas Kadis expressed concern that the Baltic Sea's ecosystems are severely affected and many fish stocks are at risk of collapse. Specifically, there should be cuts in cod quotas in the western Baltic Sea by up to 84%, while herring quotas could be reduced by 50%.

The proposals are based on the scientific assessments of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and are in line with a multi-annual management plan for the affected species. Despite the tough guidelines, the situation remains tense. Smaller coastal fishermen are still allowed to catch herring, but pressure on fishermen is growing as stocks continue to decline. The ban on targeted cod fishing in the western Baltic Sea cannot be dismissed out of hand due to the critical population problem and remains in place.

Fisheries management and fair solutions

A publication in the journal Science also warns of the grievances in fisheries management. Studies show that fishing quotas are regularly set politically above scientific recommendations. In the western Baltic Sea, 70% of commercially exploited fish stocks are overfished or are in danger of collapsing. Froese and his colleagues advocate for an independent institution that deals with ecosystem-based catch limits and thus advances the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy.

The problems are deep-rooted and many fishermen are already giving up. However, a strong community supports projects that introduce students to fishing to promote craftsmanship and sustainability. The challenges are great, but cooperation at regional level, as at the third “Our Baltic Sea” conference in Stockholm, could show a way out of the crisis.