Sustainable Fisheries

Photo: © Marek Piwnicki

A fishery is sustainable where the ecological basis of the fishery is being maintained and restored

A fishery is sustainable where the ecological basis of the fishery is being maintained and restored, thereby ensuring future generations are not disadvantaged; so that the benefits of the fishing activity strengthen community/societal resilience and where the management and governance actions reflect the precautionary approach, facilitating necessary adjustments in the catch, effort and gear with transparency and public reporting. The combination of poor fisheries management and overconsumption has put fish stocks, marine ecosystems and livelihoods at risk.

Why are we concerned?

Many Baltic fish species on a downward spiral

For centuries the sea has been used and exploited by humans to the point of depletion of its biodiversity and ecosystems. Over 97% of the Baltic Sea is now impacted by eutrophication due to human activities on the land.  Many Baltic fish populations are on a downward spiral with several stocks near collapse. Cod populations have crashed and not recovered. The once flourishing European eel has been fished to near extinction, and our only whale the Harbour porpoise has only around 500 individuals left. Drastic changes in these fish stocks have caused ripple effects for the entire Baltic Sea ecosystem as they affect lower levels of the food chain, contributing to problems such as eutrophication. Quotas set for each of the most important commercial species have historically been higher than the reproductive capacity of the fish populations in the ecosystem, leading to decreased or depleted fish stocks. Overfishing also occurs through bycatch and illegal fishing.

What is the WWF Baltic Programme doing?

Protective measures to restore fish stocks, apart from reducing overfishing, can include Remote Electronic Monitoring to secure effective fisheries control, the mandatory use of selective gears, and better implementation of the Landing Obligation, as well as to allocate fishing quotas to fisheries with the least environmental impact.

Advocating for sustainable fisheries

The Baltic Sea fisheries are controlled and regulated by Europe’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). We support the WWF European Policy Office on input to the Common Fisheries Policy to improve synergies between fisheries and environmental legislation and advocate for a strong implementation in the Baltic region. We work to reduce overfishing, and the use of destructive gear, and improve the traceability of fish products to ensure they are sustainably caught. Many key Baltic fish stocks (such as cod, salmon, herring and sprat) are degraded, and the remaining fish should only be harvested legally and at levels that can guarantee the recovery of their populations. WWF is advocating for long-term management plans for these species, including setting management guidelines with adequate closures in marine protected areas and other defined sensitive areas for spawning or feeding.

Restrict the use of bottom trawling gear

Fishing is one of the most widespread and significant impacts humans have inflicted on marine ecosystems—and the Baltic Sea is no exception. Bottom trawling, one of the most damaging fishing methods in practice, is seriously depleting the resource base, causing long-term physical damage, altering the ecosystem balance, affecting biogeochemical cycles, and negatively impacting the seabed’s ability to store and sequester carbon. WWF Baltic advocates that destructive fishing gear must be banned from specific Marine Protected Areas and other sensitive areas to support this recovery.

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Promoting sustainable fish guides

Seafood is a common part of our diet, a popular, healthy choice. Yet consumers are often unaware of the crisis behind the seafood on their plate – the harmful or wasteful fisheries and rapid decline in fish populations. We’ve made it easy for consumers to get educated about the seafood they eat. Within the WWF Baltic Programme we coordinate and develop the WWF Seafood guides for the Baltic Sea region. Check them out below and make sure you always carry a copy with you or have one of the mobile apps at your fingertips. Find out more about the methodology behind WWF seafood guides here.