The European Anglers Alliance (EAA), representing Europe’s recreational anglers and working to protect fish, waters and the shared angling experience, welcomes today’s adoption by the European Parliament of the own-initiative report “The multiannual plan for the Baltic Sea and ways forward” (2024/2127(INI)), led by rapporteur Isabella Lövin (Greens/EFA, Sweden).
The adopted report sends a strong political signal on the urgent need to restore the Baltic Sea’s ecosystems, rebuild depleted fish stocks and improve the long-term socio-economic sustainability of fisheries-dependent communities and businesses across the region. Importantly, the report recognises recreational fisheries as a legitimate stakeholder within the Baltic Sea blue economy and calls for a more balanced and ecosystem-based fisheries management approach.
The Baltic Sea continues to face severe environmental challenges. Several fish stocks remain in critical condition – incl. populations important for the recreational fishing experience — while pollution, eutrophication, biodiversity loss and habitat degradation continue to weaken the ecosystem.
The EAA particularly welcomes the report’s stronger focus on protecting and restoring wild Atlantic salmon and sea trout stocks, including the call to the “ to assess and, where needed, propose the inclusion of salmon and trout stocks as specific stocks to be covered by the scope of the (Baltic Sea Multi-annual Plan) regulation as regards bycatch”.
The report also supports urgent recovery measures for depleted herring and sprat stocks, including the consideration of recovery pauses based on scientific advice to safeguard marine food webs and secure the future of coastal fisheries. Additionally, the report highlights growing concerns regarding cormorant predation and its impact on already weakened fish populations in several Baltic regions.
The recreational fisheries sector also welcomes Parliament’s recognition that the socio-economic value of marine recreational fisheries remains underestimated at EU level. “The latest EU-wide assessment dates back to 2017, while many of its recommendations have still not been implemented” – according to the adopted report.
Commenting on the vote, Markus Lundgren, Chair of the EAA Sea Fisheries Subgroup, stated:
Today’s vote is an important step forward for the future of the Baltic Sea, its fish populations and the millions of anglers who depend on healthy fish stocks and functioning marine ecosystems. Angling is deeply rooted in the Baltic region’s coastal culture and local economies, but that future is increasingly under pressure due to declining fish populations and environmental degradation.
We welcome the Parliament’s recognition of recreational fisheries within the blue economy, as well as the stronger focus on restoring wild salmon and sea trout stocks.”
It is increasingly clear that the current management framework is not delivering the necessary results. This report represents an important first step towards rebuilding healthy, viable fish stocks and an overall angling experience in better environmental conditions in the Baltic Sea
Links
EAA (and member) statements on the file:
- Positive EU decision: Opens for review of the management of the Baltic Sea – Sportfiskarna
- European Parliament’s PECH Committee adopts their INI report on the Baltic Sea Multiannual Plan (MAP): a step forward for recovery and sustainable fisheries in the Baltic region – EAA Europe
- EAA’s input to the EU Parliament’s report on the EU Multiannual Fisheries management Plans (MAPs) – EAA Europe
Press release from the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament
Technical information on the file
