Ahead of the October Council, the European Commission has made it’s proposal for the 2018 quotas in the Baltic Sea.
In a controversial move, it has been proposed that the quota for the depleted western Baltic cod stock is a rollover from last year, 5,597 tonnes. Scientists had recommended closer to 1,300 tonnes, although part of the Commission total will include cod transferred from the eastern stock.
For the eastern cod stock, the quota proposed is 22,275 tonnes. This, along with proposals for all the pelagic and flatfish stocks is in line with the MSY approach and sustainable management.
Moreover, in a significant move for the first time, the proposal also establishes a species for which fishing is prohibited, the European eel.