International cooperation for sustainable fisheries in the Baltic Sea

The complexity of the political and ecological situation in the Baltic Sea area calls for strong international cooperation in order to achieve economically and socially sustainable, environmentally safe fisheries. Management needs to be flexible to allow for direct reactions and adjustments in case of any natural or anthropogenic adverse impacts. At the same time, a minimum of income stability from the transboundary, hence internationally shared, fish resources in the Baltic Sea should be guaranteed to local fishing communities. The article under consideration analyses the past, present and future situation of fisheries management in the Baltic Sea. Emphasis is put on the functioning of the European Community’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). In order to achieve sustainable fisheries, the conservation of stocks is of prime importance. The new CFP as of December 2002 provides for this objective by introducing long-term management and recovery plans, emphasising the necessity of a healthy marine ecosystem, and allowing for flexible management tools. It is therefore concluded that Baltic Sea fisheries management is likely to benefit, if the opportunities for improvement, which the new CFP regulation has enshrined, are realised.