New scientific evidence shows that total allowable catch (TAC) cuts made in past years for the Baltic Sea have been effective, and now the European Commission is recommending an increase in fishing quotas for 2013.
The number of stocks being fished at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) levels could go from three to six next year, if the proposed TACs are adopted.
For the second year in a row the commission is proposing to increase the TAC for Western herring by 23 percent to 25,800 metric tons (MT). After cuts in 2011 and 2012, the commission is proposing an increase for Central herring of 9 percent to 85,155 MT.
For sprat, the commission proposed an 11 percent increase in the TAC to 249,978 MT and an 18 percent increase in the TAC for plaice to 3,409 MT.
The commission is proposing a 9 percent cut in the Eastern Baltic cod TAC to 25,800 MT and a 2 percent cut in western Baltic cod to 20,800 MT. The TAC for salmon will remain the same.
The commission also proposes reducing the TACs of the remaining pelagic stocks to respond to the natural fluctuations of stocks and ensure MSY levels.
The number of days for fishing vessels to remain at sea will stay the same as previous years.
The overall aim of the commission’s proposal is to make Baltic Sea fisheries environmentally and economically sustainable by following scientific advice. The Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee on Fisheries and the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas as well as the Baltic Sea Regional Advisory Council provided the scientific advice for the proposal in May.
The proposal will be discussed at the October Fisheries Council meeting.
