The European Commission has adopted its proposal for 2027 fishing opportunities for the Baltic Sea, establishing total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas for ten EU-managed fish stocks. The proposal addresses ten specific species and areas: Bothnian herring, central Baltic herring, Gulf of Riga herring, sprat, plaice, Main Basin salmon, Gulf of Finland salmon, western Baltic cod, eastern Baltic cod, and western Baltic herring.
European Commission Proposes 2027 Fishing Opportunities for the Baltic Sea
According to officials, the measures respond to scientific assessments that highlight the critical state of several fisheries, allowing for the continuation of rebuilding trajectories for relevant stocks. EU Fisheries Commissioner Costas Kadis emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, The Baltic Sea ecosystem is in a very bad state, and we need to take action across all areas to protect it,
as reported by Yahoo. The proposed TACs are based on scientific advice from the International Council on the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and align with the Baltic Sea multiannual management plan adopted in 2016 by the European Parliament and the Council.
Proposed Increases for Healthy Stocks and Cautious Adjustments
Under the Commission’s plan, fishing opportunities would increase for several species experiencing positive stock developments. The executive body proposes raising quotas for Bothnian herring by 3%, central Baltic herring by 49%, Gulf of Riga herring by 11%, and sprat by 44%. Meanwhile, catches for plaice, Main Basin salmon, and Gulf of Finland salmon would remain unchanged compared to the previous year.
For Bothnian herring, ICES forecasts positive stock development due to high estimated recruitment, though the stock remains below sustainable levels. To maintain a stable fishing mortality rate and continue the rebuilding trajectory, the Commission advocates a cautious approach alongside a three-month spawning closure in shallow coastal waters. For healthy stocks like Gulf of Riga herring, the Commission proposes setting catch limits at the maximum advised by ICES while discontinuing the three-month spawning closure.
Sharp Restrictions on Vulnerable Cod and Herring Stocks
Conversely, the Commission has proposed steep cuts to protect vulnerable fish stocks. Based on member state reporting, allocations for unavoidable by-catches—fish unintentionally caught by fishers—would drop significantly. Western Baltic cod by-catches are slated to fall by 88% to 31 tons, eastern Baltic cod by-catches by 51% to 211 tons, and western Baltic herring by-catches by 45% down to 437 tons.
The stock size of western Baltic herring remains significantly below minimum levels, prompting Brussels to propose removing the exemption that currently allows small-scale coastal fisheries to catch herring passively close to the coast using gear such as gill nets. A similar proposal during the prior year failed to secure the necessary backing from EU member countries. For cod stocks, which remain in poor condition despite measures introduced since 2019, catch limits for unavoidable by-catches and accompanying measures will remain in place and be adjusted according to member state reporting.
Next Steps and Final Decision Timeline
The proposals now move to EU member states for a final decision regarding the maximum quantities of commercial fish species that may be harvested. Fisheries ministers in the EU Council will examine the plan to reach a political agreement during their meeting scheduled for 26-27 October 2026, with formal adoption by the Council expected to follow in November.
