| BSAC recommendations on the BALTFISH two draft Joint Recommendation regarding fisheries conservation measures in five marine protected areas in the Baltic Sea | The BSAC was consulted on two draft Joint Recommendation regarding fisheries conservation measures in five marine protected areas in the Baltic Sea 3 BSAC members answered and give a detailed position on the proposed draft JR that are annexed to the letter. The letter is also sent to the BALTFISH Presidency and Member States representatives at BSAC. | 02/11/23 | BSACreplyMPA-JR3_2023-2024_30rev |
| BSAC letter on the effectiveness of cod spawning area protection measures and the possibility to allow scientific test fishing | The provisions of the Regulation on fishing opportunities restrict the fishery in SDs 22-23 from February to March and in SD 24-26 during the summer months (May – August) “to protect cod spawning process”. ICES noted that there is a lack of specific data on by-catch of cod at 20 m and 30 m depths for active and passive gears BSAC recommends that BALTFISH Member States allow scientific test fishing to be carried out to find evidence that there is no cod bycatch between 20 and 30 m depth. | 30/10/23 | BSAC letter codclosures 23-24-28 |
| BSAC letter on STECF work on the Marine Action Plan and the STECF possibility to invite experts to its meeting. | In the context of the Marine Action Plan published in February 2023 and in general, BSAC recommends the STECF and the Commission to invite relevant external experts to its meeting. BSAC also raises two questions: - What timeline STECF will adopt for the development of the advice foreseen in the Marine Action Plan?
- How STECF will understand the term ‘highest long-term yield’ in the mixed fisheries context ?
| 30/10/23 | BSAC letter Marine AP STECF experts 23-24-27 |
| BSAC letter on the fishing opportunities and scientific advice for 2024 following the recent BALTFISH Forum meeting | In this letter following-up on the BALTFISH Forum meeting discussions, the BSAC highlighted that: - It is of the opinion that proposals such as the one made this year by the Commission in terms of fishing opportunities should be developed also in the light of their socio-economic impact.
- It recommends to the Commission to ask ICES to evaluate the new method behind setting reference points for central herring.
- It would like to ask the Commission for more transparency in requesting scientific advice
| 17/10/23 | BSAC letter Baltfish forum follow-up23-25-25 Reply to BSAC on Baltic FO 2024 and ICES advice |
| BSAC recommendations on Eel and Joint Special Group 6th October 2023 | The BSAC sent a letter to the Commission, member States and ICES on eel and the Joint Special Group. The BSAC wants to highlight that European eel is a great example of topic that should be on the work programme of the Group. It is an important file to be discussed by both fisheries and environmental ministries and stakeholders. The BSAC recommends that the Commission publicly share the draft update of the Eel Management Plan guidance document. The BSAC recommends that the Commission also enquires on how the agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction or “High Seas Treaty”, recently signed by the EU, could help protecting eels throughout their life cycle. | 06/10/23 | BSAC letter_Joint Special Group_eel23-24-24 Reply to BSAC on eels rev MH |
| Baltic Sea Advisory Council recommendations on the energy transition of the Baltic Sea fisheries sector | BSAC recommendations on the energy transition of the Baltic Sea fisheries sector. In the recommendations document, background information is considered first, the BSAC recommendations are then presented. It also includes an Annex with details on EMFAF programs in the Member States. | 03/10/23 | BSACletterEnergyTransition-2023-2024-23 BSACrecommendationEnergyTransition |
| Follow-up invitation to Our Baltic Ministerial Conference | BSAC Chair letter thanking the Commission for the invitation to Our Baltic Ministerial Conference on the 29th September and sharing the BSAC recommendations on the energy transition of
the Baltic Sea fisheries sector. The Commission response was received the 17th October 2023. | 03/10/23 | BSACletterThankyouOurBaltic-2023-2024-22 BSACrecommendationEnergyTransition Letter_Mr_ Jarek Zieliński |
| BSAC letter to the Commission Commission requesting guidance on how to apply Article 4(7), of the Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/242, as amended by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/204 | The BSAC Executive Committee Chair seeks clarification to correctly interpret and implement Article 4(7) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/242 in the context of the revision of the BSAC Rules of Procedures. | 29/08/23 | LettertoCOMapplicationArticle4(7)23-24-16 COM Response Art 4 DR 2015-242 |
| BSAC response to the communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council “Towards more sustainable fishing in the EU: state of play and orientations for 2024” | The BSAC takes note of the Commission’s Communication and accompanying Staff Working Document. The BSAC provides feedback and comments following the Commission’s request. On 7th July 2023, the BSAC has already sent its recommendation for the fishery in the Baltic Sea in 2024 to the Commission. | 29/08/23 | BSAC response to COM StateofPlayFishing Opportunities23-24-17 |
| BSAC request for a Baltic roundtable discussion before Fisheries Council of October | BSAC request for a Baltic roundtable discussion before Fisheries Council of October | 07/07/23 | Letter to the Commissioner |
| BSAC recommendations on the legal Acts introducing a new mandatory trawl gear device | BSAC recommendations on the legal Acts introducing a new mandatory trawl gear device The recommendation was also uploaded on the Commission’s consultation website. | 07/07/23 | BSAC recommendation |
| BSAC recommendations for the fisheries 2024 | BSAC recommendations for the fisheries 2024 – Letter from the ExCom Chair to DG Mare
– BSAC recommendations for the fisheries in 2024 (minor update on the 10/07) Translation of the BSAC advice: BSAC recommendations for the fisheries in 2024 in Polish
BSAC recommendations for the fisheries in 2024 in German
BSAC recommendations for the fisheries in 2024 in Lithuanian
BSAC recommendations for the fisheries in 2024 in Swedish | 07/07/23 | Letter from the ExCom Chair to DG Mare BSAC recommendations |
