Brussels: After overnight negotiations, the EU Council of Fisheries and Agriculture reached on Tuesday a political agreement on the fishing limits for key fish stocks in the Baltic Sea for 2026. The agreement, based on scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), aims to ensure the sustainability of fish stocks and support the fishing sector. However, Sweden did not endorse the final compromise, expressing reservations about its effectiveness.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Danish Minister for Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries, Jacob Jensen, stated that the agreement secures a balanced future by combining the need for sustainable fish stocks with the protection of marine ecosystems and the support of fishing communities. “Today’s agreement is about securing our shared future. We have struck a balance between ensuring sustainable fish stocks, protecting our marine ecosystems, and safeguarding the long-term viability of our fishing communities,” Jensen underlined. He also noted that, despite the challenges, the compromise reached is generally in line with scientific advice, and in some cases, the limits set are even stricter than those recommended by scientists.
On behalf of the European Commission, Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Kostas Kadis, acknowledged the importance of the compromise but stressed that the Commission’s original proposal would have better supported the recovery of Baltic fish stocks. During the press conference, Commissioner Kadis highlighted that the poor condition of the Baltic Sea is due to multiple factors, including climate change, eutrophication, overfishing, and pollution. “We need a holistic approach to address all these challenges and improve marine life, including fish stocks,” the Commissioner emphasized.
The Commissioner also mentioned that the Commission organized a high-level conference in Sweden, where ministers of fisheries, agriculture, and environment from the Baltic Sea member states discussed solutions from all angles. “Addressing the issue of cormorants and seals could be one of the measures, but it is not the only solution. We need a comprehensive strategy for the recovery of fish stocks,” he added. Kadis further emphasized that the Commission will continue working to address all pressures on fish stocks, including environmental and human-induced factors.
Regarding concerns from environmental organizations that the agreement could lead to over-exploitation of fish stocks, Jensen defended the compromise, stating that it is largely consistent with scientific advice. “We have listened carefully to the scientific advice, and in many cases, we have set lower limits than those recommended by ICES,” he said. The Minister also noted that the agreement allows for the continuation of recreational fishing for one clipped salmon per fisher per day, as a measure to balance stock protection with the needs of fishers.
However, Sweden did not support the final compromise. When asked about Sweden’s objections, Jensen stated: “We tried to accommodate all member states, but in negotiations, it is not always possible to achieve unanimity.” The agreement will be formally voted on at a future Council meeting once the text has been finalized in all EU languages.