Fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea (2024)

SUMMARY OF:

Regulation (EU) 2023/2638 fixing the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks applicable in the Baltic Sea for 2024 and amending Regulation (EU) 2023/194 as regards certain fishing opportunities in other waters

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?

The regulation fixes the 2024 total allowable catches (TACs) applicable to European Union (EU) fishing vessels fishing for certain fish stocks in the Baltic Sea, to improve their sustainability or help at-risk stocks to recover;
The regulation sets out restrictions for recreational fisheries* for some species.

KEY POINTS

Total allowable catches and allocations

TACs for various fish species from the Baltic Sea in 2024 are listed in the Annex to the regulation.
The set limits follow the principle of sustainable exploitation in line with the maximum sustainable yield* and the multiannual management plan for Baltic Sea fisheries (Regulation (EU) 2016/1139).
They are based on the best available scientific advice from the International Council on the Exploration of the Seas and take into account biological and socioeconomic factors.
The limits are decided by the EU Member States based on a European Commission proposal.
The TAC for each individual species is divided into quotas – proportions of the TAC assigned to Member States.

Species quotas

TACs for 2024 are summarised as follows.

Cod (Gadus morhua). Due to low biomass levels, the regulation maintains the TAC level for the two cod stocks, limited to unavoidable by-catches* with no directed fisheries permitted other than for scientific investigation. Fishing in some areas is prohibited at certain times to protect cod spawning.
Herring (Clupea harengus). Targeted fisheries of central Baltic herring and Bothnian herring are allowed, with TACs of 40,368 tonnes and 55,000 tonnes, respectively. For central herring, a 30-day closure is introduced to protect spawning. The western herring TAC is for by-catches only, with an exception for small-scale coastal fisheries. The TAC for herring in the Gulf of Riga is 37,959 tonnes.
Plaice (Pleuronectes platessa). While plaice stocks have improved, cod is an unavoidable by-catch in plaice fisheries, so the TAC level remains the same as in 2023.
Sprat (Sprattus sprattus). The TAC level is decreased by 10%.
Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). The TAC level is decreased by 15% and continues to be limited to unavoidable by-catches, with no directed fisheries permitted other than for scientific investigation, with, however, certain seasonal exceptions and special conditions in the northernmost area. The TAC level for salmon in the Gulf of Finland is increased by 7% over the 2023 figures.
Sea trout. There are restrictions on fishing for sea trout and salmon in certain areas where landed by-catches of sea trout must not exceed 3% of the total catch of salmon.

Recreational fisheries

Recreational fishing for cod continues to be banned in the main distribution area of eastern cod, and is now also fully banned for western cod.
Recreational fishing for wild salmon continues to be banned. Any wild salmon accidentally caught must be immediately released back into the sea. As an exception, one reared salmon per fisher per day is allowed, after which the fisher must stop fishing salmon for the rest of the day.

Amendment to Regulation (EU) 2023/194

The regulation also amends Regulation (EU) 2023/194 (see summary) in relation to an agreement with the United Kingdom on fishing opportunities for Norway pout, haddock and capelin in the North Sea.

FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?

It applies from 1 January to 31 December 2024.

BACKGROUND

For further information, see:

Baltic Sea: Agreement reached on 2024 fishing opportunities (European Commission)
Questions & answers on Commission Proposal for fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea for 2024 (European Commission).

KEY TERMS

Recreational fisheries. Exploiting marine biological resources for non-commercial reasons such as recreation, tourism or sport.

Maximum sustainable yield. The largest yield (catch) that can be taken from the stock of a species over an indefinite period without endangering its survival.

By-catch. Unwanted fish and marine species caught unintentionally.

MAIN DOCUMENT

Council Regulation (EU) 2023/2638 of 20 November 2023 fixing the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks applicable in the Baltic Sea for 2024 and amending Regulation (EU) 2023/194 as regards certain fishing opportunities in other waters (OJ L, 2023/2638, 22.11.2023).

RELATED DOCUMENTS

Council Regulation (EU) 2023/194 of 30 January 2023 fixing for 2023 the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks, applicable in Union waters and, for Union fishing vessels, in certain non-Union waters, as well as fixing for 2023 and 2024 such fishing opportunities for certain deep-sea fish stocks (OJ L 28, 31.1.2023, pp. 1–219).

Successive amendments to Regulation (EU) 2023/194 have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

Regulation (EU) 2016/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 2016 establishing a multiannual plan for the stocks of cod, herring and sprat in the Baltic Sea and the fisheries exploiting those stocks, amending Council Regulation (EC) No 2187/2005 and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1098/2007 (OJ L 191, 15.7.2016, pp. 1–15).

See consolidated version.

Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy, amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1954/2003 and (EC) No 1224/2009 and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 2371/2002 and (EC) No 639/2004 and Council Decision 2004/585/EC (OJ L 354, 28.12.2013, pp. 22–61).

See consolidated version.

Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy, amending Regulations (EC) No 847/96, (EC) No 2371/2002, (EC) No 811/2004, (EC) No 768/2005, (EC) No 2115/2005, (EC) No 2166/2005, (EC) No 388/2006, (EC) No 509/2007, (EC) No 676/2007, (EC) No 1098/2007, (EC) No 1300/2008, (EC) No 1342/2008 and repealing Regulations (EEC) No 2847/93, (EC) No 1627/94 and (EC) No 1966/2006 (OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, pp. 1–50).

See consolidated version.

Council Regulation (EC) No 847/96 of 6 May 1996 introducing additional conditions for year-to-year management of TACs and quotas (OJ L 115, 9.5.1996, pp. 3–5).

See consolidated version.

last update 19.02.2024

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