The EU Council of Ministers has now decided on the 2026 fishing quotas for the Baltic Sea. The outcome is bleak, with quotas that remain too high for cod (bycatch), herring, sprat, and salmon. However, this year Sweden voted against the Council’s quota decision and also issued a statement calling for the rebuilding of fish populations – a small but important victory for the sea and the Baltic fish.
The government, led by Minister for Rural Affairs Peter Kullgren, entered the negotiations with the ambition to advocate for restrictive fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea. As in previous quota negotiations, Sweden – together with the European Commission – stood relatively alone in pushing for a cautious approach.
As expected, Sweden and the European Commission were unfortunately overruled by the other member states, which wanted to see higher fishing quotas. This was despite the fact that higher quotas for herring in the central Baltic Sea and the Bothnian Sea violate the so-called five-percent rule*, which requires fishing pressure to be reduced if the risk of stock collapse exceeds five percent.
Even our neighboring country Finland chose to prioritize short-term economic interests over the rebuilding of herring stocks. The question is how Finland resonates – the industrial interests being protected today will not be able to continue to exist tomorrow, unless the quotas are significantly reduced. Without fish, there can be no fishing.
Hopeful initiative from Sweden
Never before has Sweden so clearly distanced itself from a quota decision as it did this year. The government rejected the proposed quota increases and therefore does not support the Council’s decision. This action marks a positive shift. Sweden was also the only country to make its own statement during the ministerial meeting, calling on the European Commission to request ecosystem-based advice from ICES. It is a clear signal from Sweden, even though the statement lacked support from other countries.
Sweden also made another statement, together with the European Commission, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Finland, urging ICES to develop advice that contributes to the rebuilding of fish populations. This is a major and very important step forward. It is now crucial that the current and future governments maintain this course.
Risk of an increased herring quota
The Council’s quota decision may appear somewhat ambiguous in certain respects. The quota for herring in the Bothnian Sea was reduced by almost 40 percent compared to this year’s quota. A reduction is good – but the problem is that it is far from sufficient. The European Commission had proposed a 62 percent reduction to comply with the five-percent rule.
This year’s quota decision also entails a risk of an increased herring quota in the Gulf of Bothnia, starting from 31 October 2026. Finland expects to be able to fish even more in a year’s time, if its own fisheries data indicate that it is possible. This is a remarkable decision that risks further undermining the recovery of the stock.
Next step
Sweden has taken steps toward a more responsible approach. Now it is essential that the government stays the course and continues to push for:
- Keeping the risk of stock collapse below 5 percent for each fish stock, in accordance with the five-percent rule.
- Promptly updating ICES advice to ensure the rebuilding of fish stocks.
- Influencing other countries to adopt a much more cautious position in quota decisions.
Fishing Quotas in the Baltic Sea 2026
Herring
Stock: Central Baltic Sea
Quota 2026 (change from 2025): 96,463 tons (+15%)
Stock: Bothnian Sea
Quota 2026 (change from 2025): 39,108 tons (-40%)
The quota may be increased after 31 October 2026.
Stock: Western herring
Bycatch quota 2026 (change from 2025): 788 tons (0%)
Sprat
Quota 2026 (change from 2025): 201,975 tons (+45%)
Cod
Stock: Eastern
Bycatch quota 2026 (change from 2025): 430 tons (0%)
Stock: Western
Bycatch quota 2026 (change from 2025): 266 tons (0%)
Salmon
Stock: Baltic Sea, excluding the Gulf of Finland
Quota 2026 (change from 2025): 25,537 individuals (-27%)
The brief in short
The 2026 fishing quotas in the Baltic Sea still allow excessively high catches of cod (bycatch), herring, sprat, and salmon. In the negotiations, Sweden maintained its restrictive stance and formally objected to the decision, a clear signal and, hopefully, a long-term shift in Swedish fisheries policy. BalticWaters emphasizes that quotas must be set well below the lowest scientific advice to give Baltic fish stocks a chance to recover. The government’s statement accompanying the quota decision, calling on ICES to provide advice that considers the Baltic Sea ecosystem and the rebuilding of fish populations, represents important steps in the right direction.
* Article 4.6 of the Baltic Sea Multiannual Management Plan.
