Discussions on the situation of fisheries in the Baltic Sea

The talks covered the European Commission's plans for eel protection measures for the coming years, setting fishing quotas for 2024 and a package of measures on sustainable fisheries, aquaculture and marine ecosystems.

Undersecretary of State Krzysztof Ciecióra presented Poland's concerns regarding the package, particularly the need to ban active bottom gear fishing in marine protected areas and the lack of sufficient consideration of the socio-economic aspect in the package. Ministers stressed that any proposal for action affecting the industry should be preceded by an in-depth assessment of the possibilities and socio-economic consequences of their introduction.

Moreover, problems in implementing an effective energy transition were discussed concerning the available capacity and the need for impact assessment of its implementation.

Minister Robert Telus and Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius jointly stressed the need for cooperation to improve the situation of the Baltic Sea.

Meeting with fishermen

EU Commissioner for the Environment Virginijus Sinkevičius and Undersecretary of State Krzysztof Ciecióra met with marine fisheries and aquaculture representatives.

Fishermen presented their concerns about restrictions on eel fishing in future years, stressing that the introduced closed seasons strongly impact the economic situation of small-scale fisheries. They drew the Commissioner's attention to the consequences of decisions taken at the EU level regarding setting the catch limits.

Furthermore, they brought the unfair treatment of fishermen concerning the introduced ban on using fixed gear to protect the harbour porpoise in Pomeranian Bay to the Commissioner's attention.

It was also pointed out that there is a need for a strategic approach to managing the cormorant population at the EU level in the context of the losses caused by this species in fisheries and aquaculture and the overabundance of seals throughout the Baltic Sea.