The Fisheries sector experiences the negative impact of environmental disturbances from other sectors of the economy. Nutrients and eutrophication, hazardous substances, oil and litter affect the quality of spawning and nursery grounds and have an impact on seafood quality, as well as on the biodiversity. Bottom substrate (sand, gravel) extraction, dumping and coastal constructions might have a negative impact on fish habitats. The construction of hydro-electric powerplants has reduced the habitat of wild Salmon to one third and no further developments should take place without an Environment Impact Assessment.

On the other hand, fishing activity also has an impact on the environment. The fishing pressure on some Baltic Sea fish stocks, discards, and by-catch mortality of seabirds and marine mammals have an impact on species, habitats and ecosystems which should not exceed sustainable levels.

In order to minimize the negative impact of other sectors on fisheries and of fisheries on the environment, the following appropriate measures must be taken:

1/ reduce pollution from industry, transport, agriculture, forestry and minimise the risk of introduction of alien species in ballast water

2/ reduce the impact of fishing activity on biodiversity and the environment.

In order to achieve further progress within its area of competence, the IBSFC proposes the following overall Goal as a basis for further actions:

"Development of economically and socially sustainable, environmentally safe and responsible fisheries by

• maintaining biologically viable fish stocks, the marine and aquatic environment and associated biodiversity;
• within these limits, establishing maximum fishing possibilities and appropriate selective fishing techniques for harvesting stocks;
• distributing the direct and indirect benefits of open sea and coastal fishery resources between local communities in an equitable manner".

1/ The Baltic Sea resources

Priority Action 1: to develop long term strategies for major fish stocks: Cod, Salmon, Herring and Sprat

IBSFC will apply a precautionary approach. To this end, ICES has been requested to indicate appropriate biological reference points to allow harvesting within safe biological limits. A Mortality Harvest Strategy seems to offer a good prospect for more stable catch levels. The need to gradually achieve a balance between the harvesting capacity of fleets and the target reference points for stocks is recognised.

The need for introducing additional measures (including technical measures) is recognised. Further scientific research is necessary to improve the selectivity of fishing gear and to reduce the impact of such gear on species and habitats. However, due consideration should be given to the need to avoid frequent changes and corresponding costs for the fishing industry. This should be achieved by long term strategies for all relevant fish stocks.

The long term strategies for all the fish stocks regulated by IBSFC are listed below in order of importance.

a. "Baltic Cod Strategy Plan"

Since the spawning success of the Baltic cod stocks is highly influenced by the hydrographic conditions in the Baltic Sea, particular attention shall be given to maintaining these stocks in good condition. The IBSFC is currently preparing a detailed long term management strategy for cod fisheries, based on the latest information available from ICES. Pending the reception of this contribution from ICES, the "Baltic Cod Strategy Plan" is expected to be adopted in 1998 and implemented immediately. The outline is described below:

• elaboration of a long term strategy for the cod fishery based on the latest scientific information available;
• initial implementation of the "Baltic Cod Strategy Plan", including -inter alia- the development of a mortality based harvesting strategy and the establishment of catch levels consistent with stock specific reference points and taking into account the influence of hydrographic conditions on the reproduction capacity of cod;
• development and introduction of more selective fishing gear.

Actors: IBSFC, Coastal States

Timeframe: concept in 1998, pending input from ICES; implementation from 1999 onwards.

Possible sources of financing: to be evaluated.

b. "IBSFC Salmon Action Plan 1997 - 2010"

The "IBSFC Salmon Action Plan 1997-2010", adopted and published as "Resolution IV" is entirely devoted to improving the status of wild salmon stocks. The objective is that the production of wild salmon should gradually increase to reach by the year 2010 a natural production of at least 50% of the best estimates of the potential capacity of wild salmon rivers; and that salmon should be re-established in potential salmon rivers. The main elements of the IBSFC Salmon Action Plan are listed below (the full text is available in "Documentation / Resolutions":

• salmon should be re-established in potential salmon rivers;
• releases of reared smolt and earlier life stages should be closely monitored;
• wild salmon habitats should be improved/restored where possible;
• the fishery should be shifted to the greatest extent possible to a fishery targeting mainly reared populations;
• Coastal States should strengthen control and adopt national measures to supplement IBSFC Recommendations and Resolutions.

Actors: IBSFC, Coastal States

Timeframe: 1997-2010: the wild salmon stocks are expected to be "sustainable" well before the reference period of Baltic 21.

Possible sources of financing: Coastal States, Electricity Producers exploiting hydro-electric power plants.

c. "Long term strategy for Pelagic Species"

Although the herring and sprat stocks are considered to be within safe biological limits (SBL), ICES has been requested to give advice on biological reference points relevant for a long term management strategy for the exploitation of these stocks. The outline of the Action Plan is described below:

• development of long term strategy for herring and sprat, taking into account Baltic Sea fish species interactions;
• implementation of long term strategies for herring and sprat;
• elaboration of appropriate additional regulatory measures.

Actors: IBSFC, Coastal States

Timeframe: concept in 1999, pending input from ICES; implementation from 2000 onwards.

Possible sources of financing: to be evaluated.

Action 2: to improve the management of resources in Coastal Areas

The importance of certain fish stocks in coastal areas for coastal communities is recognised. The knowledge on the biological status of the flatfish stocks is insufficient. The fishing pressure on certain flatfish stocks, in particular plaice, turbot and flounder, is increasing. Particular attention should be given to the eel stock. The outline of an action programme is described below:

• increase the scientific knowledge of the biological status of flatfish stocks, in particular plaice, turbot and flounder;
• consider the establishment of catch limits for commercially exploited stocks;
• increase the scientific knowledge of eel and establish contact with the North East Atlantic Fishery Commission on the exploitation pattern in other areas;
• protect estuaries, shallow water areas and recruitment habitats for coastal water species.

Actors: IBSFC, Coastal States

Timeframe: start in 1999 and onwards

Possible sources of financing: Coastal States, the Nordic Council, EC funds as appropriate

Action 3: to increase co-operation in the field of Control and Enforcement

The Contracting Parties consider it important to improve and enhance co-operation in control and enforcement within the framework of IBSFC and bilaterally. It is in particular believed that the following initiatives should be strengthened:

• exchange of information on quota transfers to be improved by introduction of electronic data exchange;
• improve the reporting of landings by introducing an electronic network;
• landings for other purposes than human consumption should be monitored and sampled to increase knowledge of species composition;
• gradual introduction of electronic positioning system on fishing vessels fishing in the Baltic Sea;
• organize an annual meeting of fisheries control managers to exchange information, discuss problems, formulate proposals and improve the network;
• exchange of fisheries inspectors as observers on inspection vessels and at landing sites, as appropriate.

Actors: IBSFC, EC, Coastal States

Timeframe: 1999 onwards

Possible sources of financing: Coastal States, EC funds as appropriate

Action 4: to improve the quality of stock- and fisheries assessment

The management of the Baltic fishery resources is based on the best available scientific information. It is recognised that for many stocks there is insufficient knowledge to allow proper assessment. For the major stocks, it is particularly important to improve the quality and availability of data.

Further research on interaction between fisheries and other components of the ecosystem is also necessary.

The following is proposed:

• improvement of research surveys and biological sampling by

- increased co-operation and co-ordination of research surveys (trawl and hydro-acoustic surveys),

- intensified biological sampling of commercial catches (age structure, by-catch, discards),

- standardization of sampling and material processing methods (age determination )

- setting up of co-ordinated biological data bases;

• improvement of management decisions by providing socio-economic data to complement scientific assessments;
  • further research on interactions between fish and marine mammals (seals and cetaceans) and marine birds and the quantifications of by-catches of fish, sea birds and marine mammals;
  • further research on ecosystem effects of fishing like possible negative effects of various fishing techniques.

Actors: Coastal States, ICES, IBSFC

Timeframe: 1999 and onwards

Possible sources of financing: Coastal States, Nordic Council, EC funds as appropriate

2/ Inland waters and Aquaculture:

Inland waters

The Baltic Sea offers a unique environment for both marine and freshwater species with freshwater dominating in the North and marine species in the South.

In most coastal zones the distribution of the stocks depends on the availability of good spawning and feeding grounds. Therefore, fish production can be dependent on environmental deterioration on small but critical areas.

Fish habitats in coastal areas and inland waters have been seriously degraded during a long period due to factors like electric water power constructions, industrial pollution and acidification as well as eutrophication and humification mainly caused by agricultural and forestry activities.

Stockings of eel should be increased. When stocking fish and other aquatic organisms genetic and veterinary aspects must be taken into consideration.

To facilitate this, the following management activities should be launched.

Action 5: for sustainable use and preservation of freshwater fish stocks and species.

As with the marine species, there is an urgent need to improve the knowledge and understanding of how best to achieve a sustainable use of freshwater stocks. To this end the following action should be initiated:

• improve the scientific knowledge on fresh water species and standardising methods used in this field;
• mapping the genetic status of salmonid stocks;
• establish a common Red List of endangered species and elaborate recovery plans;
• suggesting management measures for sustainable use of exploited species.

Actors: Coastal States, ICES, EIFAC, HELCOM

Timeframe: First phase 1999 and onwards

Possible sources of financing: Coastal States, Phare , Tacis, EC funds as appropriate, Nordic Council.

Action 6: For restoration of habitats important to fish and fisheries in inland waters.

Measures taken should prevent further degradation of inland water fisheries and should be performed on the basis of a catchment area strategy aiming at:

• protecting estuaries, shallow water areas and recruitment habitats for coastal freshwater species;
• protecting and restoring spawning and nursery areas for commercial and endangered species in fresh waters, where appropriate;
• constructing fish ladders at dams and hydroelectric power stations, where appropriate.

Actors: Coastal States, EIFAC, HELCOM

Time: 1999 and onwards

Possible sources of financing: Coastal States, Nordic Council, electricity producers, EC funds as appropriate

Aquaculture

Action 7: to achieve sustainable aquaculture:

Aquaculture production in the Baltic area is rather low because of unfavourable natural conditions. The fish produced is used for human consumption or for releases. The releases can be for enhancement, for sea ranching or for put-and-take fisheries in pounds and lakes. Aquaculture plays a particular role for stocking of salmon and trout. To further develop aquaculture the following management activities should be launched:

• develop cost effective and environmentally safe technologies taking into account socio-economic aspects;
• co-ordinate research and education to stimulate the contribution of aquaculture to food supply;
• develop national programmes for balanced and genetically safe stocking;
• prevent or minimise water pollution, the spreading of diseases and interactions between wild and reared fish including transgenetic impacts on wild stocks.

Actors: Coastal States

Timeframe: 1999 and onwards

Possible sources of financing: Coastal States

3: Economic and Social aspects of the Fisheries Sector

Action 8: to improve economic and social stability of the fisheries sector:

A number of concerted actions could improve the output quality and economic returns of fisheries:

• reconsider different elements of national programmes for the fisheries sector as appropriate;
• encourage more active participation of the fishing industry in formulating strategies for the fisheries sector;
• improve sanitary and hygienic standards on board vessels, in landing sites and fish auctions and markets;
• increase and develop the utilisation of fish for human consumption, ensuring a greater participation of the fisheries sector in the contribution of food supplies to Baltic region
• bringing fishing effort into line with available resources, where appropriate through the restructuring of national fishery fleet segments

Actors: Coastal States

Timeframe: from 1999 onwards

Possible sources of financing: Coastal States and EC funds as appropriate.