Fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea (2023)

SUMMARY OF:

Regulation (EU) 2022/2090 fixing the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks applicable in the Baltic Sea for 2023

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?

The regulation fixes the 2023 total allowable catches (TACs) applicable to European Union (EU) fishing vessels fishing for certain fish stocks in the Baltic Sea, to improve their sustainability or help at-risk stocks to recover. The regulation also applies to recreational fisheries* for some species, and amends some quotas in other waters fixed by Regulation (EU) 2022/109 (see summary).

KEY POINTS

Total allowable catches and allocations

TACs for various fish species from the Baltic Sea in 2023 are listed in the annex to the regulation.
The set limits follow the principle of sustainable exploitation in line with maximum sustainable yield* and the multiannual management plan for Baltic Sea fisheries, adopted under Regulation (EU) 2016/1139.
They are based on the best available scientific advice from the International Council on the Exploration of the Seas and the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries, taking into account biological and socioeconomic factors.
The limits are decided by the EU Member States based on European Commission proposals.
The TAC for each individual species is divided into quotas – proportions of the TAC assigned to Member States or non-EU countries.

Species quotas

TACs for various fish species from the Baltic Sea in 2023 are listed in the annex to the regulation, summarised briefly as follows.

Cod (Gadus morhua). The regulation maintains a TAC level limited to unavoidable by-catches*, with no directed fisheries permitted other than for scientific investigation. Fishing in some areas is prohibited at certain times to protect spawning.
Herring (Clupea harengus). Only a small TAC of unavoidable by-catches is allowed in the western Baltic, while the TAC increases by 32% in the central Baltic. There are lower TACs in the Gulf of Bothnia (–28%) and Riga (–4%) zones.
Plaice (Pleuronectes platessa). The TAC level increases (+25%).
Sprat (Sprattus sprattus). The TAC level decreases (–11%).
Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). The TAC level is maintained and continues to be limited to unavoidable by-catches, with no directed fisheries permitted other than for scientific investigation, with certain seasonal derogations and special conditions in some areas.

Recreational fisheries

Recreational fishing for cod continues to be prohibited in the main distribution area of eastern cod, and limited to one cod per fisherman per day outside of the spawning closure period in the main distribution area of western cod.

Recreational fisheries of salmon continue to be, in principle, prohibited (except when and where directed commercial fisheries are allowed). Any salmon accidentally caught must be immediately released back into the sea. As an exception, one specimen of reared (adipose fin-clipped salmon) per fisher per day is allowed, after which they must stop fishing salmon for the remainder of the day.

Amendment to Regulation (EU) 2022/109

The regulation includes a TAC for Norway pout (Trisopterus esmarkii) and capelin (Mallotus villosus), and revised quotas for hake (Merluccius merluccius).

FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?

It applies from 1 January 2023, except for hake (1 January 2022), capelin (15 October 2022) and Norway pout (1 November 2022).

BACKGROUND

For further information, see:

Commission proposes fishing opportunities for 2023 in the Baltic Sea in an effort to recover species (European Commission)
Baltic Sea: Council agrees catch limits for 2023 (Council of the European Union)
Baltic Sea: Agreement reached on 2023 fishing opportunities (European Commission).

KEY TERMS

Recreational fisheries. Non-commercial fishing activities exploiting marine biological resources such as recreation, tourism or sport.

Maximum sustainable yield. The largest yield (catch) that can be taken from the stock of a species over an indefinite period without endangering its survival.

By-catch. Unwanted fish and marine species caught unintentionally.

MAIN DOCUMENT

Council Regulation (EU) 2022/2090 of 27 October 2022 fixing the fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks applicable in the Baltic Sea for 2023 and amending Regulation (EU) 2022/109 as regards certain fishing opportunities in other waters (OJ L 281, 31.10.2022, pp. 1–15).

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