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More garbage caught than cod: NGOs call for emergency measures to protect #EasternBalticCod

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NGOs in the Baltic Sea Region have sent an urgent letter to the European Commissioner in charge of Environment Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella, urging him to implement emergency measures in accordance with article 12[1] of the EU Common Fisheries Policy to protect what little remains of the eastern Baltic cod stock.

This stock has shown signs of crisis for many years. The latest information suggests the situation is now critical. On 29 January 2019, in a Baltic Sea Advisory Council meeting focusing on the eastern Baltic cod stock, the latest data from the Baltic International Trawl surveys was presented. Survey trawls were reported to have caught more garbage than cod.

An International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) benchmark meeting was held for the stock from 4-8 February to determine if an analytical assessment of the stock could now be made[2]. The report from that process is due mid-March, however the full cycle of the normal Baltic fish stock science assessment process does not conclude until the end of May.

The NGOs (Ocean, Coalition Clean Baltic and Our Fish) said collectively.  “We implore the Commission to act now before further unsustainable fishing takes place on what very little remains of the eastern Baltic cod.”

The NGOs have urged the Commission to immediately suspend fishing for eastern Baltic cod for the next six months while the latest scientific findings are examined and to take immediate action to move at least a portion of the sprat fishery away from Baltic sub-divisions 25 and 26 to maximize the availability of prey for the cod.[3]

Link to joint NGO letter: Crisis situation for the Eastern Baltic cod stock – emergency measures needed now

[1] Article 12 of the EU Common Fisheries Policy allows the Commission to adopt immediately applicable implementing acts applicable for a maximum period of six months measures in case of a serious threat to marine biological resources.

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[2] What is an ICES Benchmark meeting?

[3] Marie Storr-Paulsen, DTU Aqua: Information from the latest survey

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