As the BS RAC discussed the proposed multiannual plan for Baltic salmon for the first time, a number of specific issues were on the agenda, among them the proposed targets, data collection and reporting, the suggested phase out of compensatory releases and minimum landing sizes.
The Baltic Sea RAC Salmon and Sea trout Working Group met in Gothenburg on 2 November to discuss the Commission’s proposal for a multiannual plan for Baltic salmon. Representatives of the fishing sector, angler organisations and environmental NGOs were present, as well as Ilona Jepsena from DG MARE and Stephen Cederrand from the Community Fisheries Control Agency (CFCA). Ilona Jepsena briefly went through the background and the main components of the proposed plan and how it responds to the development of theLisbontreaty.
In the plan, the Commission is proposing a stepwise approach to the recovery of wild Baltic salmon populations, with 50 or 75% Potential Smolt Production Capacity (PSPC) in 5 years, and 75% for all salmon populations in 10 years. PSPC is used as an estimate of the status of each salmon river population. According to some parties at the WG meeting, the targets in the proposed plan need to be reduced, but the Swedish Anglers’ Association (Sportfiskarna) argued that for several rivers the targets are already fulfilled, or close to fulfilled and therefore more ambitious targets are needed.
All participants were concerned about the level of information available on catches, as the unknown mortality of Baltic salmon is significant, and most likely exceeds the reported commercial landings. It was agreed thatMemberStateobligations to report salmon and sea trout catches should be sharpened and that they needed to include both commercial and recreational catches. The parties also expressed their concern about the low smolt survival rates – survival has declined drastically in the last 15 years. It was suggested that the European Commission should make a request to the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) to investigate this further.
There were different opinions on the suggested phase out of so called direct releases of salmon, which includes releases by the hydropower companies in order to compensate for the vast loss in wild salmon reproduction caused by damming. Representatives from the fishing sector felt that a phase out is too drastic, as it may have an impact on the number of salmon available to catch. Several of the environmental NGOs, however, supported this measure, as reared salmon individuals may mix with wild salmon and therefore threaten the genetic uniqueness of populations. In addition, the survival rate of reared individuals has been found to be very low, making restocking less effective in terms of compensatory measures. Hence, it was felt that the Baltic salmon populations would benefit more from a redirection of funding to other, more sustainable measures such as habitat restoration.
On another issue related to releases, the WG agreed that all reared and released salmon should be fin-clipped as all parties consider it important to be able to separate reared and wild individuals.
A discussion on minimum landing sizes for salmon and sea trout was initiated by WWF Finland suggesting a common minimum landing size of65 cmthroughout theBaltic Searegion. No decision was made at the meeting, but probably the discussion will continue at future meetings.
There was also a discussion about misreporting of salmon as sea trout, particularly in the Polish fishery. Recently, the Council and the Commission declared that at least 20% of salmon and sea trout landings should be controlled. According to Ilona Jepsena, the Commission is currently discussing if salmon should be included in the Control Regulation – referring to a clause on emergency measures. The WG welcomed the efforts already made by the Commission but stressed that more detailed information is needed. It was agreed that the BS RAC would send a letter to the Commission encouraging further investigation of this particular issue.
The proposal for a multiannual plan for Baltic salmon (COM(2011)470) has been submitted to the Fisheries Council and the European Parliament. So far, is has been discussed at three Council working group meetings under the Polish Presidency. Once the final articles have been looked at, the Presidency will provide a consolidated version. In the European Parliament, the Fisheries Committee (PECH) has appointed a rapporteur – Marek Józef Gróbarczyk from the European Conservatives and Reformists Group – and started its work on the proposal. A report from the European Parliament can be expected in January 2012.