One step in the right direction to protect the only whale in the Baltic Sea

The Baltic Proper harbour porpoise is critically endangered, and for decades, scientists and NGOs have been pushing to have effective conservation action taken to protect it and ensure its survival [1]. Today, finally, European Union legislation is put in place [2] to protect this population from bycatch in marine protected areas.

The Baltic Proper harbour porpoise, the only whale in the Baltic Sea, is sometimes called Europe’s vaquita, after the almost extinct population of Vaquita porpoise in the Gulf of California. The Baltic population of harbour porpoise has been declining since the mid 20th century and there are now only a few hundred individuals left. Bycatch in static fishing nets is one of the most acute threats, and with such a small population even one animal caught in a net is a huge loss and a threat to population survival.

In 2019, NGOs submitted a joint request [3] for emergency measures for the Baltic Proper harbour porpoise to the European Commission, and in May 2020 the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, ICES, published scientific advice [4] on how to minimise harbour porpoise bycatch in the Baltic Sea. In line with the EU Common Fisheries Policy, this advice was discussed within the Baltic Sea regional fisheries body, BaltFish, and during 2020-2021 BaltFish submitted two joint recommendations [5] to the European Commission on measures to minimise bycatch of the Baltic porpoise. These joint recommendations were transcribed into a so-called delegated act [6] that is now approved by the European Parliament and will be implemented over the next few months.

The delegated act contains regulations on closures of static net fisheries in some important harbour porpoise protected areas, as well as use of pingers, acoustic deterrent devices, on fishing nets in some marine protected areas. While NGOs are very pleased to see these measures being implemented and consider them as a good starting point, it is important to remember that we are not done. The Baltic harbour porpoise must be protected in its entire range, and bycatch must be basically completely eliminated.

NOTES
[1] Scientific paper: “ Out of sight out of mind: How conservation is failing European Porpoises ” (2020).

[2] The EU Delegated Act (see Note n.6) as regards measures to reduce incidental catches of the resident population of the Baltic Proper harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in the Baltic Sea will officially enter into force after the publication in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJ).

[3] NGOs request for emergency measures (2019) .

[4] ICES scientific advice on bycatch (2020) .

[5] The first BaltFish joint recommendation to the EU (2020) .

[6] EU Delegated Act (2022) .

CCB's briefing on the EU delegated act 2022.

< Older Post Newer Post >

Nature Restoration Law supported by 75% of citizens in countries not backing the law

By CCB • 16 May, 2024

EU Member States not supporting the Nature Restoration Law are at odds with public opinion. This is the result of a poll conducted in the Netherlands, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Poland, and Sweden, which shows that three out of four citizens are in favour of the legislation, as pressure mounts on Member States to adopt the long-awaited law. The Nature Restoration Law, an EU response to the interlinked climate and biodiversity crises, has been in a stalemate since March when it lost the necessary majority from Member States, following Hungary’s last-minute U-turn. Now, a new survey - which was conducted by Savanta with 6190 respondents across the six Member States - reveals that the majority of people in countries not supporting the law believe that nature and biodiversity decline will have negative long-term effects on people, farming and the economy and that it must be tackled urgently by restoring ecosystems. The Nature Restoration Law received the biggest support in Italy with 85% of citizens backing it, followed by Hungary with 83%, and Poland with 72%. While in Finland and in Sweden, respectively 70% and 69% of the people supports it. Only 6% of those surveyed disagreed that the law should be adopted. The full results can be consulted here .

Global Plastics Treaty negotiations in Ottawa - INC4

By CCB • 24 Apr, 2024

On April, 21 the 4 th session of Intergovernmental Negotiations Committee to develop a global plastics treaty has started in Ottawa, Canada. Coalition Clean Baltic along with some of its Members, including SSNC, ASC/CES, and Ecopartnerstvo is taking part in INC-4.