30.8.2006

Urgent Actions to Save the Baltic Cod

Conclusions from Baltic Greens Meeting
The cod fish in the Baltic Sea is in crisis. This crisis is quickly getting worse. It is a threat to employment, communities, the ecosystem and our common future. The meeting in Gdansk of the Baltic Sea Network of the European Green Party agreed on proposals for urgent measures to reverse the decline. Among the demands is an emergency closure for the cod fishery east of Bornholm.

The meeting in August 25-27 2006 in Gdansk of the Baltic Sea Greens Network of the European Green Party has agreed on the following conclusions regarding the eastern stock of the Baltic cod[1]:

The Baltic cod is in crisis, and it is getting worse.

All – fishermen, consumers, fishing communities and the eco-system – suffer due to past and current mismanagement.

Governments have consistently decided on allowable cod catches far in excess of the levels recommended by scientists[2]. The cod stock hit an all time low last year, and has declined 15 % since then. The cod stock is not at a level to support catches able to allow an economically viable fishing industry

There is a substantial over-capacity in the fishing industry. That is why there is pressure for illegal fishing, which is reported to be substantial. Scientists at ICES estimate that unreported landings, including illegal fishing, are about 40% of the legal catch. Fishing above the legal quota has been tacitly allowed by authorities, but is theft from other fishermen, from other potential industries like tourism, from the ecosystem, and from our common future. If we want a to eat cod in the future, we must conserve the stock now.

Sustainably managed, cod fisheries in the Baltic Sea have a potential to provide larger catches, an economically viable fishery, more secure employment, regional development, and good food.

Since enlargement of the European Union in 2004, the new political and legal context means that the EU and its Member States have virtually complete responsibility for managing Baltic Sea cod fisheries. This provides new legal, financial and other instruments to achieve a sustainable – or unsustainable – fishery in the Baltic Sea[3].

We call for the following:

The European Commission should introduce emergency measures – immediate closure (extend summer closure until the end of the year.)[4]

The Commission should ensure that fishermen are compensated appropriately, especially considering that some Member States may be reluctant to take their social responsibilities.[5] Compensation for other links of the industry should also be included.

Member States should request the Commission to take emergency measures.[6]

Specific countries have special responsibilities. Each and any one of them could take this initiative:

Finland, as the President of the Council.

Sweden, as the leading proponent in responsible management the past few years.

Poland, as the leading fishing country for Eastern cod.

Denmark, as a key processor.

The Commission should present – and the Council should adopt – proposals for quotas and fishing effort for 2007 compatible with

The scientific advice provided by ICES[7]

The current management plan, agreed by the IBSFC in 2003

Any new plan adopted should be consistent with the precautionary principle. A new multi-annual plan should be only adopted when quotas and fishing effort are established in accordance with the scientific advice from ICES. Until then, the existing IBSFC management plan remains in force.

Capacity to catch fish must be adapted to the resource base. Fishing opportunities should be distributed with consideration to preserving the eco-system, natural resources, cultural diversity, regional development and employment.

Member States must improve their control and surveillance of fishing activities. The Commission should stimulate and encourage this.

We appeal to scientists and environmental organisations to participate more actively in fisheries dialogues.

More information:

Dariusz Szwed, Zieloni 2004 co-chairman; tel. +48 501 022 959

Rados³aw Gawik, member of the National Council of Zieloni 2004; tel. +48 605 037 417

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