A sharp increase in herring fishing would be irresponsible, warn Swedish Baltic Sea scientists. The reaction comes after the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea changed its scientific models and opened the door to increased fishing quotas in the central Baltic Sea next year.
Last year, herring stocks in the central Baltic Sea were deemed to be in such poor condition that the European Commission proposed a fishing ban, but this year’s fishing quota ended up being just over 40 000 tons. ICES now says that amount could triple next year, to 125 344 tons.
See risk of collapsed stocks
– It is a very risky behavior and almost foolish to let the fishing pressure increase so drastically,” says Henrik Svedäng, associate professor of marine ecology and researcher at Stockholm University’s Baltic Sea Center.
He is joined by fellow researcher Sara Söderström, who specializes in fisheries management. The law requires fishing to be carried out at a level to achieve good stock status by 2020. It still has not been reached. This is not sustainable fishing. The ICES forecast relates mainly to fisheries and takes little account of the important role of herring in the ecosystem, including as food for other animals.
In the 2010s, stocks were overestimated by more than 100%. This led to overfishing from which herring have not yet recovered. It would be tragic and foolish not to allow the stock to recover,” says Henrik Svedäng.
Comment by the Baltic Sea Treaty Foundation
Action is needed!
In addition to reducing fishing quotas, the main thing that needs to be done is to stop industrial fishing, which involves large-scale trawling for the production of fishmeal. A fishery that accounts for over 90% of herring catches in the Swedish part of the Baltic Sea. However, the important coastal fisheries need to be stimulated in various ways. The fish caught there can become good food.
Strong political and other decisions and actions are needed to make the seas of the future swimmable, navigable, enjoyable and edible for generations to come!
The Baltic Sea Contract Foundation works actively to contribute to the development of the Baltic Sea environment towards a healthier sea. The work is done by many people around the Baltic Sea pledging to treat the sea well, which eventually has an impact. When many of us take responsibility, we have the opportunity to influence different actors and decision-makers to take major and important decisions and actions to create radical improvement on the key issues:
Eutrophication-Large-scale industrial fishing-Toxins and chemicals.
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