The European Commission has deducted over 3,000 salmon from Finland’s 2025 fishing quota after uncovering unauthorised commercial fishing disguised as scientific research in the Baltic Sea last year.
Despite scientific warnings and EU opposition, Finland authorised 32 vessels for what was presented as a research operation.
Environmental organisations welcomed the move, calling it a much-needed example of EU enforcement. “EU laws only work if implemented and enforced,” said Odran Corcoran, marine consultant at WWF European Policy Office.
“This decision comes at a crucial time, as policy-makers evaluate the Common Fisheries Policy. By following the science and holding Finland accountable, the Commission has shown these rules are not optional.”
The operation was launched despite clear advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) to halt targeted salmon fishing due to declining stocks. EU officials had urged Finland to delay the operation pending scientific review, but the Finnish government went ahead regardless.
The European Commission’s own scientific advisors later concluded that the scale of the operation matched commercial fishing rather than legitimate research.
“This is a clear violation of agreed rules,” said Bruno Nicostrate, senior fisheries policy officer at Seas At Risk. “The CFP is often ignored and enforcement like this is essential.”
Javier López of Oceana in Europe warned, “When a member state bends the rules, it puts both fish populations and marine ecosystems at risk. This strong response sends a vital message – EU fisheries law must be applied equally.”
The Åland government later admitted the operation had commercial intent.
