After tough negotiations, eu fisheries ministers have agreed on new fishing quotas for the baltic sea. The decision sets quotas at higher levels than proposed by the eu commission and could lead to the collapse of the stock in the gulf of bothnia, according to the council's own background material. The council thereby overrules the commission and sweden in the final talks.
Eu fisheries ministers reached an agreement on fishing quotas for the baltic sea after intense discussions, according to an article in dagens nyheter published on october 28, 2025. The new quotas for herring fishing are higher than what the eu commission recommended earlier. According to the council's own background material, this risks causing a collapse in the herring stock in the gulf of bothnia, a part of the baltic sea between sweden and finland.
The decision means that the eu council overrules both the commission's proposal and sweden's position in the negotiations. This raises concerns about the sustainability of baltic sea fishing, where herring is a key species. The article highlights that the quotas could threaten the ecological balance in the region, though no specific quota figures are provided in the available material.
Eu fisheries policy aims to balance economic interests with environmental protection, but this decision prioritizes higher catches in the short term. Experts warn of long-term consequences for marine ecosystems and local fishing industries in northern europe.