Headline: EU Proposes Total Fishing Ban in Baltic Sea as Herring and Sturgeon Stocks Decline
Subheadline: Local fishermen welcome the proposal in hopes of restoring fish populations
Date: [Current Date]
NORTH SUNDET – In a bid to address the alarming decline of herring and sturgeon stocks in the Baltic Sea, the European Union (EU) has proposed a total stop to fishing in large parts of the sea. This comes as welcome news to local fishermen such as the Bergman family, who have been fishing in the area for seven generations.
The Bergman family, whose boat Kaveris is a familiar sight in the waters between Gävle and Söderhamn, have seen firsthand the depletion of fish populations. “The trawlers have sucked up the sea on all currents. They can barely get ashore with all the fish,” says Anders Bergman. In recent years, their catches have dwindled significantly.
For generations, the Bergman family has relied on the herring shoals that populate the Baltic Sea, but overfishing and the disappearance of the coastal current have had a devastating impact on their livelihood. In the past, it was common to catch hundreds of kilos of fish in a single haul, but nowadays, a good catch is a rare occurrence.
The proposal by the EU comes as no surprise to Dennis Bergman, who has been advocating for measures to protect fish stocks for the past fifteen years. “We have raised the alarm for fifteen years and wanted something to happen. Now it is finally paying off,” says Dennis. While the proposal may mean a temporary loss for fishermen like him, Dennis believes it is necessary to regulate overfishing and ensure the long-term survival of fish populations.
The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) has warned of the decline of herring and sturgeon stocks in the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia. According to ICES, the stock in the central Baltic Sea has decreased by 80 percent in just 40 years. The organization advises the EU’s fisheries ministers based on its research, and it supports the proposal for a total stop on fishing in the affected areas.
The EU Commission’s proposal will be discussed and decided upon by fisheries ministers in Luxembourg later this month. If approved, it would mean a complete ban on directed fishing of herring and sturgeon in large parts of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia in 2024. The decision aims to protect and rebuild fish stocks and ensure the sustainability of the fishing industry in the long run.
Local fishermen such as the Bergman family understand the need for such measures, despite the short-term challenges it may pose. They have seen the effects of overfishing firsthand and believe that it is necessary to restore the health of fish populations.
As the EU takes steps to address the declining fish stocks in the Baltic Sea, local fishermen are ready to adapt and find alternative ways to sustain their livelihoods. In addition to fishing, the Bergman family has expanded their business to include fish processing, a shop, and a restaurant. They have also joined the fight for small-scale fishing along the coast through their involvement in the professional fishing association Kustfiskarna Bothenhavet.
The EU’s proposed fishing ban is a significant step towards preserving the Baltic Sea’s ecosystem and ensuring the future of the fishing industry. While it may present challenges in the short term, it is a necessary measure to protect fish stocks and allow them to recover.