Conservation of fishery resources in the Baltic Sea and Danish Straits

 

SUMMARY OF:

Regulation (EC) No 2187/2005 for the conservation of fishery resources through technical measures in the Baltic Sea, the Belts and the Sound

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?

It sets out simplified technical conservation rules on fishing in EU waters in a strictly defined area of the Baltic Sea, and the Danish Straits waters known as the Belts and the Sound.

These include rules about:

• fishing gear;
• target species;
• by-catches*;
• minimum landing sizes; and
• geographical and seasonal restrictions.

The EU’s aim is to establish targeted and selective fisheries in the Baltic Sea, which can limit by-catches and the mortality of young fish.

KEY POINTS

For each area of activity and each fish species, the regulation describes in detail:

• the types of fishing gear;
• minimum mesh sizes; and
• the tolerated proportion of by-catches.

Fishing gear

In general, there are 2 types of gear covered by the regulation.

Active gear is fishing gear which has to be moved by a vessel. In the Baltic Sea, this mainly means trawls and Danish seines. The regulation contains detailed specifications for this type of equipment, including types that are banned or have very strict criteria imposed.

Passive gear refers to fishing gear set in the water and hauled up later. In the Baltic Sea, passive gear consists mostly of gill nets, entangling nets, trammel nets and drift nets. Specific rules are laid down. The aim is to find solutions to the 2 main problems created by the use of passive gear — their power could be excessive if not limited, and they take a large volume of by-catch.

The regulation limits the size and immersion time of passive gear. Vessels under 12 m in length may use nets of no more than 9 km, and vessels measuring more than 12 m may use nets of no more than 21 km in length. Immersion time for all nets may not exceed 48 hours, except under ice cover. Driftnets are prohibited.

Mesh size and by-catch limits

The regulation aims to reduce catches of young fish to allow as many young fish as possible to reach maturity. Mesh size has to be such that adult fish can be caught while young fish are able to escape. The minimum mesh openings authorised are determined according to the type of gear used, the area of activity and the fish species.

The regulation aims to prevent any distortion of its provisions, such as the catching of large species using gear designed for smaller species. To that end, by-catches are strictly limited. For each category of mesh, the authorised species must make up at least 90% of the catch retained on board (100% for large mesh sizes). Surplus by-catches must be returned to the sea immediately. The only exception to this rule is for industrial fishing for sand eels and sprat, where there is an allowance for by-catches of herring and whiting.

Only the species listed in the regulation are concerned by these limits.

Minimum landing sizes

Any fish smaller than the minimum size set for its species must be returned immediately to the sea after being caught. The only exception is for industrial fisheries, whose catches are not used for human consumption. These minimum sizes vary according to the catch area because they take into account the state of the stocks concerned.

Catches of industrial fisheries for sand eels and sprat do not have to be sorted. As a result, this activity is not subject to the rules on minimum landing sizes for by-catches of species for human consumption.

Restrictions

The Baltic Sea includes 2 prohibited fishing areas and several closure periods for certain fisheries. All fishing is banned in a designated area offshore from the mouth of the Oder. Fishing for salmon and sea trout is banned in summer, although these species may be fished with trap-nets during this period. The prohibited area during the closed season is beyond four nautical miles.

Eel fishing with any type of active gear is banned throughout the year.

Restrictions on fishing for flounder and turbot apply in certain areas at certain times of the year.

The Gulf of Riga is covered by a special scheme that limits access to its waters and restricts fishing activity. The restrictions are based on special permits limiting the number of vessels and their engine power.

Repeal

Regulation (EC) No 2187/2005 is repealed and replaced by Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 as of 14 August 2019.

FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?

It has applied since 1 January 2006.

BACKGROUND

See also:

• Managing fisheries:Technical measures (European Commission)
• Baltic Sea Technical Rules (European Commission).

KEY TERMS

MAIN DOCUMENT

Council Regulation (EC) No 2187/2005 of 21 December 2005 for the conservation of fishery resources through technical measures in the Baltic Sea, the Belts and the Sound, amending Regulation (EC) No 1434/98 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 88/98 (OJ L 349, 31.12.2005, pp. 1-23)

Successive amendments to Regulation (EC) No 2187/2005 have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

last update 08.08.2019