The Good Herring

Herring is one of few marine species that has adapted to the brackish waters of the Baltic Sea. However, even though the stock has decreased to historically low levels and that the coastal fishing is in crisis, Sweden chooses to wait to take actions. Politicians and those in power can reverse the negative trend.

With “The good herring”, BalticWaters wants to highlight the problems with today’s fisheries management, and to present solutions. It is time to act, before it is too late.

80 percent of the herring has disappeared since the 1970´s.

Intense fishing pressure has led the stock to historically low levels. In 1974, nearly two million tonnes of herring spawned in the central Baltic Sea. Today there are less than 0,4 million tonnes left.

Great similarities with the cod stock before their collapse

In addition to the declining herring populations, individuals become smaller and sexually mature at an earlier stage. These are common warning signals within species before a collapse.

Unique herring populations can be fished out unnoticed

Herring has adapted to different environments in the Baltic Sea. Although genetically unique individuals are more important than ever, is it an aspect that the management does not consider.

Million profit for society to stop the industrial trawlers

For both the state and society, industrial fishing is highly unprofitable. Large-scale fishing creates net costs of SEK 626 million / year, according to the economist Stefan Fölster.

Thousands of coastal- and recreational fishermen are left empty handed

Twenty industrial trawlers take up 96 percent of all fish in the Baltic Sea region. Simultaneously, over 400 small-scale coastal fishers are testifying about less and less herring in their nets.

Sweden can move out the trawling border – and action is required now

According to researchers, a relocated trawling border can make a big difference to the fish reproduction and growth. Instead of protecting the herring, industrial fishing along the (Swedish) coast has increased significantly.

Industrial trawlers land 96 percent of the catch

In southern Bothnian Sea, five trawlers landed 15 600 tonnes of herring under 2018. During the same period and in the same region, the total catches of recreational fishing were estimated to 86 tonnes.

The fisheries management is designed to benefit the industry

The quotas are set based on maximum sustainable yield, without an ecosystem analysis. The management model has already led to the collapse of cod. Will the herring be next?

Filmclips about herring in the Baltic Sea

With your support, we can work purposefully with a long-term perspective to save the Baltic Sea

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The Good Herring

Filmclips about herring in the Baltic Sea

With your support, we can work purposefully with a long-term perspective to save the Baltic Sea

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