There will be no ban on herring fishing in the Baltic Sea next year. In Luxembourg, ministers responsible for fisheries from EU countries, after negotiations lasting since yesterday, agreed on next year’s fishing limits, rejecting the European Commission’s proposal.
“It would be a disaster for fishermen”
– If this ban came into force, it would be a disaster for our fishermen – emphasized Deputy Minister of Agriculture Krzysztof Ciecióra in an interview with Polish Radio. – The most important decision from today’s Council in Luxembourg, which is ending today, is that fishermen can still go out and catch fish from January, nothing will change significantly – he added.
Ultimately, the catch limit for herring in the Baltic Sea for next year was set at 40,000 tonnes. This is 17 percent less than this year. Poland will account for approximately one fourth of this amount. There will be a one-month protection period, but – as the deputy minister of agriculture argues – Polish fishermen are aware of this and it will not have a major impact. As for the remaining catch limits, Polish fishermen will still be able to catch sprat – however, these quotas have been reduced by 10 percent compared to this year. However, the ban on cod fishing, which has been in force since 2019, has been maintained. According to the government, this is one of the main causes of problems in Polish fishing. – Our basic and permanently valid proposal is to lift the ban on cod fishing in the Baltic Sea. This decision is the main cause of most of the fishermen’s problems. We are constantly calling for this – Krzysztof Ciecióra in April during the meeting of the Parliamentary Committee for Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation.
European Commission on fishing in the Baltic Sea
Just a few weeks ago, there was no indication that the European Commission would take a closer look at the Baltic herring. This year, the limits of the central herring stock, caught mainly by Polish fishermen, were increased by almost one third compared to last year. Based on experts’ studies, in August the European Commission adopted proposals regarding fishing in the Baltic Sea next year. Scientists believe that fisheries are in a dire situation. Experts estimate that the herring population in the Baltic Sea has fallen below acceptable levels since the 1990s. That’s one of the reasons why
Source: Gazeta
At 247 News Agency, Jason has covered a wide range of topics, from politics and business to crime and entertainment. He is highly respected by his colleagues and peers, and his articles are widely read and shared. With a passion for news and a commitment to accuracy, Jason Root is a valuable asset to the 247 News Agency team.
