CCB welcomes EU Commission proposal to ban fishing for eel in the Baltic Sea

CCB • August 29, 2017

The European Eel is a critically endangered fish species with a dramatic stock size decline the past 30 years. Conservation efforts have so far failed to deliver and scientific experts have repeatedly called for drastic management measures. Today the EU Commission presented a proposal to ban all fishing for eel in the Baltic Sea. CCB very much welcome this proposal and call upon all Member States to complete this eel fishing ban in all of theirs waters, combined with other conservation efforts.

The European eel is a fantastic fish, a survivor from pre-historic times and it has lived through several ice ages. Human impact on the eel stock has been devastating and conservation efforts have so far been insufficient. The stock has declined rapidly and from being very common in most Baltic Sea Region coasts, lakes and streams, the eel is now rare and the reproduction has fallen almost 98%. In an attempt to give more adult eels the chance to spawn, the EU Commission is now proposing to stop fishing on eel in Baltic Sea waters.

-This is very good news for the eel, and a welcome and strong signal from the Commission that more must be done to protect eel, says Mikhail Durkin, Executive Secretary of the Coalition Clean Baltic (CCB)

The environmental NGOs have for years demanded that eel must be treated like other threatened fish species and under current circumstances, with a collapse of the eel stock, allowing targeted fishing is simply unacceptable. We risk losing this fish right in front of our eyes by not acting on the clear advice given by scientific experts. The EU Commission has now taken action and with the proposal to stop fishing on eel, the chance for the eel to recover increases. We support this proposal and want to underline that regardless of where and how, all eel fishing must be stopped until the population shows signs of recovery. It is regretful that closing a fishery will affect fishermen but it should have been done years ago and it does not make sense to build a business on a threatened species. We must also stress that upstream measures such as removing dams and opening dams during migration season for eel is absolutely necessary. Its time dam owners pay their debts to the eels. Likewise we believe that in the Baltic Sea Region it is important to address all countries in the catchment area with equivalent management response to protect the European eel, as provided for by the EU Water Framework Directive and the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (2007), as well as various global legal acts.

-We call upon all Members States in the EU to honor their commitment to protect eel, uphold the EU fishing and environmental rules as well as international agreements to stop the loss of biodiversity says Nils Höglund, Fisheries Policy Office at CCB

Read the full proposal from the European Commission here

https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/regdoc/?fuseaction=list&coteId=1&documentType=PROPOSAL_FOR_A_REGULATION&version=ALL&language=en

Contact: Nils Höglund, policy officer CCB +46 708 679 249; nils@ccb.se

Mikhail Durkin, Exec. Secretary CCB +46 73 977 07 93; mikhail.durkin@ccb.se

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CCB leaves the social media channel X

By CCB • March 19, 2025

Uppsala, Sweden - 19 March 2025 - At Coalition Clean Baltic, we support open, civil, and constructive discussions. False news and hostility on X (former Twitter) have become more common in recent times and for this reason we have decided to close our account on this platform . “ Our aim has always been to engage in an open-minded exchange of relevant facts and views on environmental issues. We strive to connect with our community through inspiring actions and by advocating for the Baltic Sea, while sharing common values and principles of diversity, inclusiveness, and freedom of expression ”, says the CCB Council. Stay connected with us through the following channels: 🔹 LinkedIn , Instagram , Facebook , and YouTube : @coalitioncleanbaltic 🔹 Newsletter – Subscribe here: https://www.ccb.se/ccb-newsletter 🔹 Website - https://www.ccb.se/ Thank you for being part of this journey - Let’s keep working together for a sustainable future and a healthier Baltic Sea!

"Focus on the Coast” – The history and current best practices of coastal protection in the face of climate change

By CCB • March 14, 2025

14 March 2025 – The newly released documentary video "Focus on the Coast" takes an in-depth look at the pressing environmental threats facing the Baltic Sea coastline. Produced by Ecodefense and Coalition Clean Baltic, with financial support from the EU LIFE Programme (*), the 1-hour film explores the devastating effects of intensified storms and rising sea levels , alongside inspiring and best conservation practices in Lithuania, Latvia and Poland . Global climate change has led to catastrophic storms and floods in the Baltic Sea region, destroying unique ecosystems and causing significant harm to communities and infrastructure. However, the Baltic region has a long history of coastal conservation, with valuable lessons learned and innovative solutions implemented. "Focus on the Coast" dives deep into this critical issue, highlighting both the threats and the measures being taken to safeguard these vulnerable coastal areas. “ With this documentary, we aim to showcase not only the challenges facing the Baltic coasts but also the efforts of those working tirelessly to protect them ,” said Alexandra Koroleva, Ecodefense Co-Chairwoman, author and producer of the documentary video. “ By featuring real stories and interviews with local activists and scientists, we hope to inspire action and demonstrate that effective coastal protection is possible ”. Through experts’ insights and on-the-ground footage, viewers gain insight into why these areas need protection, the specific strategies being implemented, and how they are making a difference. The documentary also underscores the gap between international recommendations —such as those from HELCOM (2014)— and the reality of policy implementation , emphasizing the need for stronger action from governments and policymakers. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play a crucial role in advocating for policy change, collaborating with scientists, independently exploring the coast and taking part in practical work on coastal conservation, participating in public hearings on environmental impact assessments (EIA), organizing educational programs, working with media, attracting and engaging local residents, and encouraging municipalities to act. "Focus on the Coast" serves as a vital educational tool to support these initiatives, providing high-quality visual materials that communicate the scale of the problem and the importance of sustainable coastal management. The documentary video it´s released on CCB´s YouTube channel and will be distributed through Coalition Clean Baltic´s network and partners to raise awareness and reach policymakers, scientists, and the general public. For more information, please contact: Alexandra Koroleva, Ecodefense Co-Chairwoman, author and producer of the documentary video, ecosasha@gmail.com (*) Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor CINEA can be held responsible for them.