Europêche, the body representing fishing enterprises across the EU, has called for a binding recovery plan for the Baltic Sea.
The appeal came after the Our Baltic Ministerial Conference in Stockholm on 30 September, where ministers and EU Fisheries Commissioner Costas Kadis discussed the region’s future.
Kenn Skau Fischer, CEO of the Danish Fishers PO, warned:
“There is no need for more conferences or promises. What we urgently need is a binding action plan to address the multiple factors that have shocked the marine environment in the Baltic Sea,” Kenn Skau Fischer said according to a press release.
A sea under pressure
The Baltic faces a “regime shift” in its ecosystem, Europêche said, driven by nutrient runoff, chemical pollution, offshore energy expansion, climate change, and rising numbers of predators, such as seals and cormorants. These factors, they argue, block stock recovery even though fishing has already been cut back sharply.
“One country cannot shoulder this challenge on its own. All parties must pull together,” Fischer added.
Beyond fishing quotas
The industry insists that while fishers have made steep catch cuts, recovery will not happen without wider action. Europêche is urging reforms to the Common Fisheries Policy so it can address pollution, climate impacts and predator management.
Daniel Voces, Managing Director of Europêche, criticised the Stockholm talks for sidelining those with practical knowledge:
“It is regrettable that those who know the Baltic best – the fishers – were not given broader representation. Without their involvement, there is a real risk this becomes yet another academic exercise.”
Europêche met with Commissioner Kadis again on 3 October to press its case for urgent, cross-border action.
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