baltic cod
fishery improvement partnership
We identified the following problems in this fishery, again based on data from ICES:
- Adult spawning stock size is currently estimated to be at the lowest level on record. Estimated abundance of spawners is approximately 25% of the minimum target level advised by ICES.
- ICES scientists have recommended a moratorium on fishing, but the European Union has not offered relief funding to offset the expected economic losses from halting the fishery. Instead, the EU has proposed a gradual reduction in harvests—with unknown odds of recovering the stock.
- ICES estimates that catches exceed reported landings by 35-45%. If correct, this suggests that the EU’s proposed harvest reductions are likely to be unenforceable.
- The ICES estimate of unreported catches, however, is disputed by many in the industry, and methods used in deriving the estimate (among other important indicators used in management) have not been disclosed.
Our analysis points to the following possible next steps:
- Check the science behind the EU plan. ICES should assess whether the proposed harvest reduction is sufficiently precautionary or likely to recover the stock.
- Set a sensible TAC. ICES scientists have recommended a moratorium. If the EU chooses to allow fishing, it should be precautionary and based on a credible scientific assessment.
- Improve the estimate of illegal landings to provide a more solid and widely accepted basis for addressing the problem. This requires transparent disclosure of methods of estimation, as in the Barents Sea.
- Combat illegal fishing. If high levels of poaching are confirmed in parts of the fishery, then seafood companies should push for stronger monitoring, control, surveillance and enforcement. They also should develop private-sector measures to verify the legality of the products they supply or purchase.
November 2007 Update
Stock of Baltic cod is at low levels and a formal recovery plan has been implemented by the European Union. Illegal fishing is the key remaining obstacle to sustainability. SFP joined Esperen and Young’s at the Baltic Regional Advisory Council meeting in March, 2007, when both companies gave strong messages against illegal fishing. Their support helped secure ministerial commitments which lead to EU audits of the fishery and a requirement to stop Polish fishing. Unfortunately, rather than work to identify a sustainable solution for their fishermen, the Polish government disagreed with the numbers and refused to close the fishery.