“At the negotiations we achieved the maximum possible result. We began preparatory work in the spring when, at our invitation, a fishing industry representative visited Estonia and we were able to present an on-site overview of the state of Baltic Sea fish resources” explained Minister of the Environment Keit Pentus-Rosimannus. “Our excellent results were surely helped along by the fact that, for the first time, all of the countries along the shores of the Baltic Sea had gathered behind the well-argued proposal born under Estonian leadership. Cooperation was constructive and worked until the end.” In 2013, Estonia's sprat TAC will increase by 11% or 3000 tonnes, to 28 634 tonnes. In the open waters of the Baltic Sea, the TAC for herring will be 10 131 tonnes, which is an increase of 15% over the present TAC. Herring TAC for the Gulf of Riga will remain at this year’s level of 14 120 tonnes. In order to preserve cod and salmon stocks and protect their numbers the proposal was made to reduce the TAC next year in the Baltic Sea. Estonian fishermen will be able to catch 1572 tonnes of cod next year. In the open waters of the Baltic Sea the TAC for salmon is 2291 and in the Gulf of Finland 1581 individuals, respectively. This the first instance since 2010 when Estonia’s fishing possibilities have not been cut, but instead have been increased for fish that are of importance to us. In previous years, Estonia's TACs had been significantly cut. In 2010, sprat and herring fishing possibilities were cut by 5-12%. In 2011, the European Commission wished to cut quotas issued to Estonia by 30%, and thanks to active operations by Estonia and other countries cuts of that magnitude were avoided. Quotas for the current year were also reduced by 12%. |
