Commissioner Costas Kadis referred to the state of the Baltic Sea resources and once again stressed the particular importance which should be attached to the compliance with the principles of the Common Fisheries Policy.

He also raised the issue of advice of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and the European Commission’s legislative proposal on fishing opportunities for 2026. The Commissioner also pointed to the need to apply an ecosystem-based approach to management of the Baltic Sea resources, strengthen the predictability for the proper functioning of the fisheries sector and conduct fishing in a sustainable manner that prevents the degradation of fish stocks.

Commissioner Roswall pointed out that in the context of global commitments, preserving the biodiversity of the ecosystem was essential. She recommended the implementation of the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission’s (HELCOM) plan for the Baltic ecosystem, as well as the currently applicable environmental directives to be implemented. She stressed that their implementation was important from the point of view of preserving the biodiversity.

Measures aimed at the sustainable Baltic Sea ecosystems – discussion

The core of the discussion was the need for coordinated management of the great cormorant and seal populations, which have an increasingly significant impact on fisheries. The Baltic States raised, among others, the issues of: preventing food waste, measures taken with regard to reducing eutrophication, expanding protected areas and blue economy projects.

Many states also indicated the uncontrolled influence of the Russian Federation on resources.

Research and education – counteracting the deterioration of the Baltic Sea resources

Secretary of State Jacek Czerniak pointed out, first of all, the need to continue research on the impact of environmental factors on recruitment, growth and natural mortality of fish.

– First of all, these factors should be thoroughly examined and then appropriate models should be developed and gaps in ecosystem data should be filled – stressed Deputy Minister Czerniak.

The Deputy Minister also reminded that the growing population of grey seals had led to an increase in the infection of fish with parasites.

– The effects of these infections on cod health and natural mortality require further research. Some results indicate that these negative effects may be underestimated, which leaves room for the control of the population of these mammals – said the representative of the Polish delegation. Secretary of State Jacek Czerniak also pointed to the need to carefully study the dynamics of spatial distribution and migration of fish and to take it into account in the assessment and management of resources.

The Deputy Minister also highlighted the importance of examining processes concerning fish stocks, which may depend on density (e.g. growth, recruitment, natural mortality) and the need to continue research that will allow us to better understand the environment of the Baltic Sea and changes occurring there.

– This is essential particularly at the moment when we are observing a rapid reconstruction of the ecosystem resulting from climate change and increasing eutrophication of the Baltic Sea – the marine environment knows no borders, so close cooperation between the Baltic Sea countries is necessary – said the Secretary of State. He also stressed that it was necessary to better identify habitats, their distribution and condition (through sonar and in situ research). Thanks to those measures  it will be possible to protect them more efficiently and, consequently, to improve the condition of living marine resources.

Referring to the development and implementation of efficient methods and tools for controlling misreporting, Deputy Minister Jacek Czerniak pointed out that Poland had so far taken a number of measures aimed at eliminating misreporting of catch. Those measures were geared towards increasing the efficacy of control of sea fisheries and consisted in particular in:

• amending the national legislation on sea fishing and the organisation of the fish market – introduced amendments to the legislation contributed to improving the quality of data provided to the maritime fisheries administration, accelerated reporting of catch and sales of fishery products and streamlined their validation process;
• organising meetings on proper weighing of catch in Polish ports, so as to increase the awareness of fishermen about the need for proper weighing and reporting of fish catch.

During the discussion, the Ministers pointed in particular to the need to take into account wide-ranging cooperation of national scientists and ICES. The key to ensuring proper management is multi-species management and the assessment of the impact of all ecosystem participants on the ecosystem.

In this context, more attention has been devoted to the need for real management of bird and marine mammal populations. Green transition, selective tools, accurate monitoring of fishing – according to the conference participants, these are the keys to proper sustainable management.

In addition, a holistic approach to management guarantees the restoration of the Baltic Sea ecosystem and ensures the fair participation of all its participants in the planned measures.