The EU's fisheries ministers pushed through continued herring fishing in the Baltic Sea this year, contrary to the EU Commission's proposal. Now, Coalition Clean Baltic (CCB), which brings together environmental organizations around the Baltic Sea, is demanding that the EU Court of Justice annul the decision – and immediately stop all herring fishing, reports Vetenskapsradion on Sveriges Radio.
CCB has previously appealed the Council of Ministers' decision, citing that it contradicts, among other things, the management plan for the Baltic Sea, the EU's common fisheries policy, and the marine environment directive, without success.
The herring population in the Baltic Sea has decreased dramatically in recent years, which has resulted in large-scale industrial fishing moving closer to the coast. The herring is also an important food source for other fish, which affects the overall ecosystem of the Baltic Sea.
When stocks are at critical levels, then fishing must cease, says Nils Höglund, who works on fisheries issues at CCB, to Vetenskapsradion.
