The Commission's plan includes a 7% increase in fishing opportunities for salmon in the Gulf of Finland, a 15% reduction in salmon fishing in the main basin, and a 20% decrease in herring catches in the Gulf of Riga.

The Commission is awaiting further information from the International Council on the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) for the other Baltic stocks (western cod, eastern cod, western herring, Bothnian herring, central herring, sprat, and plaice), given the interconnected nature of cod and flatfish, and herring and sprat catches.

Stock assessments reveal that the central Baltic herring has remained at or below minimum levels since the early 1990s. Bothnian herring stock has diminished due to reduced young fish and smaller older fish. As a response, the Commission proposes closing targeted fisheries for both stocks and maintaining closures for cod stocks, western herring, and salmon in most of the main basin.

The Commission will propose by-catch TACs for several stocks (western cod, eastern cod, western herring, Bothnian herring, and central herring) based on additional data expected in autumn. This would allow vessels to land unavoidable catches of these weaker stocks when fishing for other species like plaice or sprat.

Proposed TACs are grounded in ICES scientific advice and adhere to the Baltic multiannual management plan adopted in 2016. For cod, the Commission suggests measures to address poor status and for herring, TACs are set for unavoidable by-catches while exemptions are removed. The proposal also covers adjustments for plaice, sprat, and salmon based on varying stock conditions.

Final decisions on fishing quantities will be made by EU countries. The Commission's proposal will be reviewed by the Council for potential adoption during a Ministerial meeting on October 23-24.