Good news for Baltic cod, herring

The European Commission on Thursday proposed 2012 fishing quotas for the Baltic Sea, including significant increases for cod and herring.

If approved for next year, the eastern Baltic cod quota will increase 15 percent to 67,850 metric tons, while the western Baltic cod quota will jump 13 percent to 21,300 metric tons. The EC attributed the proposed increases to the cod management plan in place since 2008, which has helped reduce fishing pressure and given stocks the time to replenish.

The western herring quota is set to increase nearly one-third to 20,900 metric tons, while the Gulf of Bothnia herring quota is set to edge up 2 percent to 106,000 metric tons. The central and Gulf of Riga herring stocks, however, are not fully recovered, so the EC proposed cutting the quotas for the stocks by 33 percent and 21 percent, respectively.

The EC also proposed significant quota reductions for the salmon, plaice and sprat stocks.

“This proposal takes care of Baltic Sea fish stocks to preserve them for the benefit of current and future generations,” said EU Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki. “We are trying to manage them in a responsible manner in line with the principles of our reform. Reaching our targeted maximum sustainable yield will lead not only to healthier fish stocks, but also to better income and more jobs for the fisheries sector.”

The proposals will be discussed by member states’ ministers at the Fisheries Council meeting next month.

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