Eighteen Members of the European Parliament have signed – on 23 October – a joint letter calling for the Baltic Sea’s 2027 fishing opportunities to support fish population recovery. The letter explicitly recognises the economic and societal contribution of recreational fisheries.
The letter addresses the European Commission, the Council of the EU and fisheries ministers ahead of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting on 26–27 October, where ministers will negotiate the Baltic Sea’s 2027 total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas.
The letter brings together signatories from six political groups and seven Member States, demonstrating cross-party support for the recovery of Baltic fish populations.
Turning commitments into action
The signatories recall the commitment made by the Commission and the eight Baltic EU Member States in October 2025 to rebuild Baltic fish populations, reinforced by Parliament’s resolution on the Baltic Sea multiannual plan in May 2026. They call on ministers to translate these commitments into decisions that support lasting recovery:
“Council’s decision on the 2027 Baltic fishing opportunities should give recovering fish stocks time to strengthen before considering substantial increases in catch limits.”
The letter also calls for healthy age and size structures to be restored by protecting juvenile fish and, where appropriate, large productive individuals.
Recreational fisheries’ contribution recognised
The letter highlights the benefits healthy fish populations bring to ecosystems, fishing sectors and coastal communities. It explicitly recognises recreational fisheries’ contribution:
“Recreational fisheries in the Baltic region engage millions of citizens, generate around EUR 1.5 billion in economic activity and support more than 14,000 full-time equivalent jobs.”
For EAA, this cross-party recognition sends an important message: rebuilding Baltic fish populations is essential for the people, businesses and communities that depend on a healthy sea and fish stocks.
A cross-party appeal ahead of Council decisions
MEPs from Renew Europe, the EPP, S&D, Greens/EFA, ECR and The Left have joined this appeal for Baltic fish recovery.
By addressing decision-makers ahead of the negotiations, the signatories underline the need for the 2027 fishing opportunities to safeguard recent progress and secure a sustainable future for Baltic fisheries and coastal communities.
EAA hopes this cross-party appeal will encourage the Council to reach a balanced agreement that considers the Baltic ecosystem as a whole and supports lasting fish population recovery. As the signatories conclude:
“We therefore call on the Council to translate the October 2025 commitment and Parliament resolution into precautionary TAC decisions that safeguard recent cautious progress, provide depleted stocks with a credible path towards recovery and secure a sustainable future for Baltic fisheries and coastal communities.”
DOWNLOAD THE LETTER VIA THIS LINK
The signing MEPs are:
Karin Karlsbro, Renew, Sweden
Jessica Polfjärd, EPP, Sweden
Maria Grapini, S&D, Romania
Majdouline Sbaï, Greens/EFA, France
Li Andersson, The Left, Finland
Merja Kyllönen, The Left, Finland
Janusz Lewandowski, ECR, Poland
Sirpa Pietikäinen, EPP, Finland
Emma Ytterell, Renew, Sweden
Manuela Ripa, EPP, Germany
Tomas Tobé, EPP, Sweden
Alice Teodorescu Måwe, EPP, Sweden
Arba Kokalari, EPP, Sweden
Hanna Gedin, The Left, Sweden
Jonas Sjöstedt, The Left, Sweden
Irena Joveva, Renew, Slovenia
Katri Kulmuni, Renew, Finland
Jussi Saramo, The Left, Finland
