Fisheries Committee discusses cod stocks in the Baltic Sea

Recent scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) has indicated that the two cod stocks in the Baltic Sea are suffering from unsustainable exploitation levels. The eastern cod stock has been subject to levels of mortality by fishing which have eroded the stock size to the point at which the stock may not be able to replenish itself by reproduction and that the stock is therefore threatened with collapse. The western cod stock, although in a somewhat better state, is also exposed to very high levels of fishing resulting in yields well below the long-term potential level.

The Commission's proposal establishes a plan to rebuild and manage the cod stocks in the Baltic Sea according to the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy. The main features of the Council's compromise from last December endorsed by the Commission are: the total allowable catches (TAC) for cod in the Eastern Baltic will be reduced by 10% compared to its current level in 2006; the cod TAC in the Western Baltic will have a reduction of 6% compared to 2006; a 15% reduction in the cod TAC will be applied in 2007 if the proposal for a regulation on a multi-annual plan for cod stocks in the Baltic Sea is not adopted before 30 June 2007.

According to the Commission, to achieve the objectives the exploitation of the cod stocks must be reduced to levels that with high probability ensure that the stocks are rebuilt to acceptable levels of stock biomass, providing a high level of stability in TAC and high yields. Targets are therefore set in terms of fishing mortality rates that are sufficiently low to allow the stocks to rebuild to sustainable levels and sufficiently high to guarantee high yields.

The proposed minimum fishing mortality rates are based on scientific advice from ICES and reflect the current biological situation in the Baltic Sea. A revision clause is included in the proposal to ensure that the minimum fishing mortality rates can be amended if appropriate in the light of new scientific information and advice.

The mechanism for reaching the targets is two-fold. An annual 10% reduction in fishing effort and in fishing mortality is required until the objectives are met. Specific rules describe how the fishing effort adjustments are made, and how scientific information will be used in setting total allowable catches that correspond to the effort limits. The plan contains provisions for a review every three years to verify the performance and appropriateness of the management arrangements.

The proposed regulation shall apply to Community fishing vessels operating in the Baltic Sea and Member States bordering the Baltic Sea.