Wild salmon at risk: EU sets new fishing limits in the Baltic Sea (will they be enough?)

Salmon is increasingly present on tables around the world, also due to the “sushi mania“. The increase in demand, however, has inevitably had a negative impact on this species: we are not just talking about the farms (increasingly numerous and controversial) but also about the situation of wild salmonthose who live in freedom and are fished.

Intensive fishing, together with climate change and marine pollution, has led to a progressive decline in populations, making restrictive measures necessary to protect their survival.

In this regard, the Council of the European Union reached a political agreement on new catch limits (total allowable catches – TACs) for the main fish stocks in the Baltic Sea for 2025with the aim of ensuring fishing practices that are as sustainable as possible.

The agreement was formulated on the basis of scientific data from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) which defines catch limits for each fish stock, establishing the quantities that each member state must respect.

But what actually changes? Among the main decisions taken, the one relating to salmonwhich sees a significant 36% reduction in catch limits in the main basin of the Baltic Sea. It was also decided to maintain last year’s total allowable catch (TAC) for salmon in the Gulf of Finland.

An additional measure regarding recreational fishing imposes a daily limit of only one cut adipose fin salmon per angler, requiring fishing to stop once the first specimen is caught.

But the European Council has also set catch limits for other species. Let’s see them.

Catch limits for other fish species

As regards theherringthe Council decided on a 108% increase for the Central Baltic stock, thanks to positive scientific forecasts. Increases of 10% and 21% respectively were also recorded in the Gulf of Riga and the Gulf of Bothnia. However, for Western Baltic herring, the limits remain unchanged, with fishing only permitted for unavoidable bycatch.

In the case of codthe Eastern Baltic stock will see a 28% reduction, while the Western Baltic stock will suffer a 22% decline, with TACs set only for by-catch. Additionally, a recreational fishing ban for cod has been introduced throughout the area.

For the plaicecatch limits will remain unchanged compared to 2024, but incidental catches of cod that occur during fishing for this species will be taken into account.

Finally, it sprat will suffer a 31% reduction in catch limits, a measure necessary to prevent stocks from falling below sustainable levels.

Will these limits be enough to really help marine species subject to intensive fishing? Only time will tell.