Polski
The EU Council on Foreign Relations met in Luxembourg on October 23 and 24. Agriculture and Fisheries(AGRIFISH). The meeting succeeded in reaching a political agreement on fishing quotas for the fish stocks with the highest commercial value. The ministers agreed on the proposed limits, and there was no ban on herring fishing, which was the main concern of those gathered. The meeting also discussed the situation in agricultural markets and decarbonization.
How are fishing quotas determined?
Every year, the European Commission proposes fishing limits in the Baltic Sea for the following calendar year, as part of the Union’s Common Fisheries Policy. Its main goal is to balance the use of fishery resources and protect the marine ecosystem. Catch limits are intended to counter the disappearance of fish stocks, help them recover on their own, as well as to foster profit from fishing. A TAC (annual catch limit) is set for each fish species, which is divided into quotas allocated to individual member states. The amount of catch limits based on scientific opinions is presented by the EC. The exact number is then determined by agreement of the ministers of the member countries that make up the Council on Foreign Relations. Agriculture and Fisheries. This year, Poland was represented at the Council meeting by Krzysztof Ciecióra, Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Political agreement on fishing quotas – compromises needed
The political agreement on fishing quotas required some compromises. Not all of the European Commission’s proposals have been followed. There is no ban on herring fishing or a smaller limit on sprat fishing. Efforts have been made to set such boundaries so as to balance the conservation of Baltic fish and to secure steady revenues for the Baltic fishing community. Scientific advice provided by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and the long-term objectives of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy were also taken into account when setting catch quotas. The compromises that have been worked out were established during the work of the regional forum on the issue. Baltic Sea Fisheries (BALTFISH), which is currently chaired by Poland. The political agreement on fishing quotas has won the approval of ministers from all EU countries, not just those along the Baltic Sea.
What catch limits have been set for 2024?
At this year’s Council meeting, it was crucial for Poland to negotiate the maintenance of the herring fishing permit and to set higher limits for herring and sprat. Both demands have been met. The herring catch limit will be approx. 41 thousand. t – by 17 percent. more than the EC proposed. The TAC for sprat, on the other hand, was set at 201,000. t, increasing the quota by 13 percent. Due to low biomass levels and the need to rebuild fish stocks, the Council decided to reduce catch limits for most fish species compared to previous years. Limits for plaice and salmon in the Gulf of Finland remained at similar levels, and the ban on cod fishing was maintained. In addition, TACs for cod bycatch were set, and limits were placed on recreational salmon fishing and its prohibition for cod.
