The multiannual plan for the Baltic Sea and ways forward

Amendments tabled for the plenary sitting on this text, in their own numbering series. This is a different set from the committee amendments tracked elsewhere on AmendEU, and is not counted in any of the site’s amendment totals.

1. Amendment 1The LeftMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 36 a (new)
   Amendment

   36a. Highlights the recent case of the stranded humpback whale, ‘Timmy’; notes that an extensive rescue operation had to rely on private donations and that measures were mostly taken on ad hoc basis; encourages the Commission and the Member States to establish a coordinated emergency response and funding mechanism for whale and dolphin strandings;

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2. Amendment 2The LeftMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 36 b (new)
   Amendment

   36b. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to fully uphold and where necessary strengthen measures to protect marine mammals against negative impacts;

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3. Amendment 3The LeftMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 36 c (new)
   Amendment

   36c. Highlights the fact that seabirds are prone to becoming entangled in various types of static nets and that, according to the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, seabird bycatch numbers are often significantly higher than those reported in official reports; calls on the Commission and the Member States to fully uphold and where necessary strengthen measures to protect seabirds against negative impacts;

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4. Amendment 4The LeftMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 36 d (new)
   Amendment

   36d. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to closely monitor whether measures for the recovery of the critically endangered Baltic harbour porpoise are being effectively implemented and where necessary to take additional measures to avert the main threats to their survival;

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5. Amendment 5The LeftMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 36 e (new)
   Amendment

   36e. Recalls that Baltic seal populations were brought to the brink of extinction in the 1970s; points out that environmental and anthropogenic factors still pose a risk to the long-term survival of Baltic seal populations, despite their partial recovery; calls on the Commission and the Member States to uphold seal protection measures;

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6. Amendment 6ESNMotion for a resolution · Recital Y
   Current text

   Y. whereas the Baltic Sea harbour porpoise is facing extinction and only a few hundred of these mammals are left in the Baltic Proper19; whereas this species is under continued threat from being caught as ‘bycatch’, from environmental contaminants, prey depletion and disturbance from underwater noise; _________________ 19 https://helcom.fi/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Red-List-II-species-2025.pdf.

   Amendment

   Y. whereas the Baltic Sea harbour porpoise is facing extinction and only a few hundred of these mammals are left in the Baltic Proper19; whereas this species is under continued threat from being caught as ‘bycatch’, from environmental contaminants, prey depletion and disturbance from underwater noise, including impulsive noise generated during the construction of offshore wind farms, which, according to the ICES workshop on the impacts of offshore renewable energy on fisheries and marine ecosystems, has the potential to cause irreversible damage to this critically endangered population and could contribute to its extinction; _________________ 19 https://helcom.fi/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/R…

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7. Amendment 7ESNMotion for a resolution · Recital AY
   Current text

   AY. whereas the Commission and the Member States have not taken sufficient action to protect and restore the ecosystems of the Baltic Sea against additional threats such as pollution, eutrophication and climate change; whereas such pressures are transboundary and cumulative in nature and therefore require coordinated action at international and EU level; whereas transitioning to low-impact and low-carbon economic activities can contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation;

   Amendment

   AY. whereas the Commission and the Member States have not taken sufficient action to protect and restore the ecosystems of the Baltic Sea against additional threats such as pollution, eutrophication and climate change; whereas such pressures are transboundary and cumulative in nature and therefore require coordinated action among Member States, supported, where appropriate, by the Union within its existing competences; whereas technological innovation and industrial progress can contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation;

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8. Amendment 8The LeftMotion for a resolution · Recital D a (new)
   Amendment

   Da. whereas the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) remains critically endangered; whereas its presence in the Baltic Sea has steadily decreased, implying an increased risk of extinction; whereas ICES continues to advise ‘zero catches’ for the European eel in all habitats; whereas ICES notes no or limited overall progress in achieving the objectives of the Eel Regulation1a; ____________ 1a Council Regulation (EC) No 1100/2007 of 18 September 2007 establishing measures for the recovery of the stock of European eel (OJ L 248, 22.9.2007, p. 17, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2007/1100/oj).

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9. Amendment 9The LeftMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 18 a (new)
   Amendment

   18a. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to effectively enforce a prohibition on fishing for all life stages of the European eel in the Baltic Sea;

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10. Amendment 10PPEMotion for a resolution · Recital AZ
    Current text

    AZ. whereas natural predation forms part of the Baltic ecosystem; whereas there is a growing population of certain protected species in the Baltic Sea such as grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) and great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbosinensis); whereas significant impact by seals and cormorants on juvenile cod survival, particularly for Western Baltic Cod, may occur as well as on aquaculture and fishing gear; whereas scientific evidence shows that they have mostly a localised species- and stock-specific impact on fish populations, while data on the extent of this impact are mostly limited and need to be improved through monitoring and targeted research; whereas all factors affecting fish popul…

    Amendment

    AZ. whereas natural predation forms part of the Baltic ecosystem; whereas there is a growing population of certain protected species in the Baltic Sea such as grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) and great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbosinensis); whereas significant impact by seals and cormorants on juvenile cod survival, particularly for Western Baltic Cod, may occur as well as on aquaculture and fishing gear; whereas scientific evidence shows that they have mostly a localised species- and stock-specific impact on fish populations; whereas all factors affecting fish populations have to be considered in order to rebuild Baltic Sea fish stocks; whereas an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries man…

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11. Amendment 11PPEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 36 a (new)
    Amendment

    36a. Stresses the need for the Commission to take urgent and effective action in response to the pressures exerted by great cormorant populations on Baltic Sea fish stocks, ensuring that measures are proportionate, regionally adapted and implemented through effective, targeted and locally tailored management interventions based on the best available scientific data, while enabling Member States to apply practical and situation-specific mitigation measures where necessary in order to address local impacts effectively, thereby supporting the long-term sustainability of fisheries in affected coastal areas;

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12. Amendment 12PPEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 43
    Current text

    43. Strongly condemns the growing presence of Russia’s shadow fleet in the Baltic Sea, with operations that bypass key regulatory standards, increasing the risk of oil spills and other environmental hazards; stresses the potential harm to marine ecosystems, local fisheries and human health; calls on the Commission to explore further measures to combat Russia’s shadow fleet, especially in the Baltic Sea region; calls for enhanced regional cooperation and stricter enforcement to mitigate these risks and protect the Baltic’s marine resources; highlights the importance of ensuring the full enforcement of sanctions against Russia;

    Amendment

    43. Strongly condemns the growing presence of Russia’s shadow fleet in the Baltic Sea, with operations that bypass key regulatory standards, increasing the risk of oil spills and other environmental hazards; stresses the potential harm to marine ecosystems, local fisheries and human health; further notes concerns that Russian fishery products continue to reach the EU market through existing trade channels, highlighting the need to ensure the effective closure of any loopholes that may undermine the objectives of EU restrictive measures; calls on the Commission to explore further measures to combat Russia’s shadow fleet, especially in the Baltic Sea region; calls for enhanced regional coopera…

    Excerpt — full text in the official PDF.
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13. Amendment 13ECRMotion for a resolution · Recital A
    Current text

    A. whereas the EU’s multiannual plan for Baltic Sea fisheries (Baltic MAP Regulation), in a context of increasing environmental pressures on the Baltic Sea ecosystem, has not delivered on its overarching ecological and socio-economic objectives; whereas it has not achieved the restoration and maintenance of populations of harvested species above levels which can produce the maximum sustainable yield (MSY), despite its 2020 legal deadline, and has not contributed sufficiently to resolving particularly complex stock situations such as those of the eastern and western Baltic cod stocks, nor has it consistently supported the effective implementation of the ecosystem-based approach to fisheries m…

    Amendment

    A. whereas the EU’s multiannual plan for Baltic Sea fisheries (Baltic MAP Regulation), in a context of increasing environmental pressures on the Baltic Sea ecosystem, has helped maintain fishing pressure in line with maximum sustainable yield (MSY) levels; whereas, despite significant fishing effort reductions in the past few years, some fish stocks have deteriorated due to a combination of pressures beyond fishing activity, including eutrophication, offshore energy, predator impacts, pollution, habitat degradation and climate-driven ecosystem changes, resulting in significant socio-economic consequences for the fisheries sector;

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14. Amendment 14ECRMotion for a resolution · Recital N
    Current text

    N. whereas, according to the ICES Baltic Ecosystem Overview18 , fishing is the main activity impacting the marine ecosystem, via selective extraction of species, and the combination of this activity with agriculture and forestry, together with waste water discharge, pose major pressures on the ecosystem through nutrient and organic enrichment; whereas this affects fisheries in the whole Baltic Sea ecoregion; whereas progress has been achieved in reducing nutrient inputs and hazardous substances, yet the combined influence continues to affect fish stocks, the survival of larvae and young fish, and more effort is needed in this regard, according to the European Environment Agency; ____________…

    Amendment

    N. whereas multiple overlapping pressures including fishing activity, agriculture, forestry run-off, eutrophication, oxygen depletion, chemical pollution and the growing populations of marine predators, together with waste water discharge, pose major pressures on the ecosystem through nutrient and organic enrichment and food-web disruption; whereas this affects fisheries in the whole Baltic Sea ecoregion; whereas progress has been achieved in reducing nutrient inputs and hazardous substances, yet the combined influence continues to affect fish stocks, the survival of larvae and young fish, and more effort is needed across all contributing sectors in this regard;

    Excerpt — full text in the official PDF.
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15. Amendment 15ECRMotion for a resolution · Recital S
    Current text

    S. whereas Baltic fish stocks are at record low levels; whereas Member States must follow relevant EU legislation such as the MSFD; whereas the MSFD also requires good environmental status to be achieved through balanced food webs, stocks with a healthy size and age distribution, and addresses, among other things, contaminants, eutrophication, invasive species, marine litter and underwater noise;

    Amendment

    S. whereas in setting total allowable catches (TACs) for 2026, Member States have effectively balanced environmental sustainability with socio-economic sustainability, preserving a minimum level of activity while continuing to support fish stock recovery; whereas some Baltic fish stocks are deteriorating despite huge reductions in fishing effort; whereas the MSFD requires the Member States to achieve good environmental status through balanced food webs and healthy stocks as well as to tackle contaminants, eutrophication, invasive species, marine litter, pollution from energy generation, including underwater noise, and climate change;

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16. Amendment 16ECRMotion for a resolution · Recital T
    Current text

    T. whereas for the Baltic Sea, the Commission, having sought ICES advice, is proposing –and Member States are setting – bycatch quotas, although ICES advises ‘zero catch’;

    Amendment

    T. whereas for the Baltic Sea, and for other EU sea basins, bycatch quotas are established to ensure compliance with EU rules, including the landing obligation, and in line with the ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union, which recognises the need to take into account the socio-economic sustainability of the fishing fleet, although ICES advises ‘zero catch’;

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17. Amendment 17ECRMotion for a resolution · Recital V
    Current text

    V. whereas misreporting or any case of non-compliance are ongoing issues in Baltic fisheries and should be addressed accordingly through the implementation of the revised Fisheries Control Regulation;

    Amendment

    V. whereas misreporting or any case of non-compliance in Baltic fisheries must be addressed accordingly through the implementation of the revised Fisheries Control Regulation;

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18. Amendment 18ECRMotion for a resolution · Recital AB
    Current text

    AB. whereas many Baltic Sea Member States have introduced individual transferable quota systems (ITQs) as available under the CFP; whereas this has favoured large operators; whereas the impact on stock structure is primarily determined by the gear and fishing techniques used;

    Amendment

    AB. whereas many Baltic Sea Member States have introduced individual transferable quota systems (ITQs) as available under the CFP; whereas this has favoured large operators, in particular large industrial vessels, which account for a disproportionate share of total Baltic Sea catch volumes relative to their number; whereas such a concentration of fishing opportunities marginalises the small and medium-scale family enterprises that constitute the social and economic backbone of Baltic coastal communities; whereas the impact on stock structure is primarily determined by the gear and fishing techniques used; whereas the ecological sensitivity and specific socio-economic structure of the Baltic…

    Excerpt — full text in the official PDF.
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19. Amendment 19ECRMotion for a resolution · Recital AF
    Current text

    AF. whereas the genetic structure of populations and sub-populations of commercially exploited stocks is not fully known and should be further investigated by ICES, such as through data calls to Baltic Sea Member States, to improve the knowledge base on the relevant population structures in the region;

    Amendment

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20. Amendment 20ECRMotion for a resolution · Recital AI
    Current text

    AI. whereas scientific advice for the Baltic Sea should be improved to avoid overestimation of stock size and productivity, undue catch limits and business uncertainty;

    Amendment

    deleted

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21. Amendment 21ECRMotion for a resolution · Recital AJ
    Current text

    AJ. whereas in accordance with Article 43(3) TFEU, decisions on the setting of total allowable catches (TACs) and other fishing opportunities are the exclusive competence of the Council and, therefore, of the Member States; whereas these decisions must take full account of the latest scientific data and the diversity of environmental conditions in the Baltic Sea region; whereas the Council agreement on 2026 catch limits for the Baltic Sea diverged from the Commission proposal and was not adopted with unanimity as concerns were raised in relation to how scientific advice has been taken into account; whereas this decision raised concerns of potentially putting at risk the fish populations and…

    Amendment

    AJ. whereas in accordance with Article 43(3) TFEU, decisions on the setting of total allowable catches (TACs) and other fishing opportunities are the exclusive competence of the Council and, therefore, of the Member States; whereas these decisions must take full account of the latest scientific data and the diversity of environmental conditions in the Baltic Sea region;

    Excerpt — full text in the official PDF.
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22. Amendment 22ECRMotion for a resolution · Recital AM
    Current text

    AM. whereas the implementation of Article 5 of the Baltic MAP regarding TAC decisions, technical rules and remedial measures has not been sufficient; whereas where actions have beentaken ‘to ensure rapid return of the stock concerned to levels above those capable of producing MSY’ they have not reached their aim;

    Amendment

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23. Amendment 23ECRMotion for a resolution · Recital AZ
    Current text

    AZ. whereas natural predation forms part of the Baltic ecosystem; whereas there is a growing population of certain protected species in the Baltic Sea such as grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) and great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbosinensis); whereas significant impact by seals and cormorants on juvenile cod survival, particularly for Western Baltic Cod, may occur as well as on aquaculture and fishing gear; whereas scientific evidence shows that they have mostly a localised species- and stock-specific impact on fish populations, while data on the extent of this impact are mostly limited and need to be improved through monitoring and targeted research; whereas all factors affecting fish popul…

    Amendment

    AZ. whereas natural predation forms part of the Baltic ecosystem; whereas there is a growing population of certain protected species in the Baltic Sea such as grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) and great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbosinensis); whereas significant impact by seals and cormorants on juvenile cod survival, particularly for Western Baltic Cod, may occur as well as on aquaculture and fishing gear; whereas all factors affecting fish populations have to be considered in order to rebuild Baltic Sea fish stocks; whereas an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management should also integrate environmental factors; whereas addressing these interactions requires targeted and effective m…

    Excerpt — full text in the official PDF.
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24. Amendment 24ECRMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 2
    Current text

    2. Calls on the Commission together with the Member States to assess how the distribution of quotas among fleet segments in the Baltic Sea has evolved and to determine whether a causal link between the pressure on the resources and the national distribution policy of fishing opportunities exists;

    Amendment

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25. Amendment 25ECRMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 3
    Current text

    3. Urges the Commission and the Member States when implementing the Baltic MAP Regulation to move to a recovery and rebuilding phase for fish stocks, taking measures and actions based on the best available scientific advice, as well as taking other potential interlinked actions related to other EU or national legislation to address all stressors on fish stocks; calls on the Commission and the Member States, when implementing the above-mentionned recovery and rebuilding phase, to consider remedial measures based on the best available science such as suspending targeted fisheries for some stocks in the Baltic Sea as provided for in the MAP, avoiding measures that could undermine the socio-econ…

    Amendment

    3. Urges the Commission and Member States to commit to a comprehensive and cross-sectoral plan that addresses all major stressors in the Baltic Sea – including nutrient pollution, chemical contaminants, offshore energy, climate change and predator impacts – while ensuring inclusive governance and maritime spatial planning that involves the fisheries sector; emphasises that these pressures are transboundary and cumulative, requiring EU-level coordination and the avoidance of measures that could undermine the socio-economic stability of coastal communities;

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26. Amendment 26ECRMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 4
    Current text

    4. Calls for the mobilisation of social and financial support, including support for affected communities, local investment, temporary compensation and bridging aid for fishers in line with EU rules to prevent undue hardship and preserve cultural heritage; notes that while temporary measures address immediate ecological concerns, permanent cessation tools are designed to adjust fishing capacity with fishing opportunities in the long-term; calls therefore for a clear separation between temporary and permanent cessation in support schemes;

    Amendment

    4. Calls for the mobilisation of social and financial support, including support for affected communities, local investment, temporary compensation and bridging aid for fishers in line with EU rules to prevent undue hardship and preserve cultural heritage; notes that while temporary measures address immediate ecological concerns, permanent cessation tools are designed to adjust fishing capacity with fishing opportunities in the long-term; calls therefore for a clear separation between temporary and permanent cessation in support schemes; acknowledges that small and medium-scale Baltic fishing enterprises have received no adequate economic compensation for the losses incurred since the closur…

    Excerpt — full text in the official PDF.
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27. Amendment 27ECRMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 6
    Current text

    6. Calls on the Council to adopt TACs that are fully aligned with the precautionary approach, taking into account the vulnerability of the Baltic Sea ecosystem, socio-economic factors, and the slow recovery rates of stocks as well as the scientific uncertainty of advice; calls on the Commission to carefully consider socio-economic aspects when evaluating the current MAP; underlines the need for a balanced approach between environmental and socio-economic factors, as set out in Article 2 of the CFP Regulation;

    Amendment

    6. Calls on the Commission to carefully consider socio-economic aspects when evaluating the current MAP; underlines the need for a balanced approach between environmental and socio-economic factors, as set out in Article 2 of the CFP Regulation;

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28. Amendment 28ECRMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 7
    Current text

    7. Stresses that setting multiannual quotas based on the best-available science could give marine ecosystems in the Baltic Sea time to recover and provide businesses with the stability they need to plan investments, maintain employment and maintain port infrastructure; stresses that the development of such management measures should include effective, timely and systematic stakeholder consultation;

    Amendment

    7. Stresses that setting multiannual quotas based on the best-available science could give marine ecosystems in the Baltic Sea time to recover and provide businesses with the stability they need to plan investments, maintain employment and maintain port infrastructure, and support generational renewal in the fisheries sector; underlines that prolonged regulatory instability leads to disinvestment, loss of production capacity and the disappearance of family fishing enterprises, constituting an irreversible socio-economic loss for Baltic coastal communities; stresses that the development of such management measures should include effective, timely and systematic stakeholder consultation;

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29. Amendment 29ECRMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 8
    Current text

    8. Calls on the Member States and the Commission, taking into account the shortcomings of the Baltic MAP Regulation in terms of reaching its ecological and socio-economic objectives, to consider launching measures in accordance with Articles 12 and 13 of the CFP whenever best available scientific advice indicates the need for such measures, and to prepare action by analysing the costs and benefits of closing relevant fisheries, including for recreational fisheries, noting lost revenues, livelihoods, food security and the future cost of inaction;

    Amendment

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30. Amendment 30ECRMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 9
    Current text

    9. Calls for the prevention of irreversible ecological damage to herring and sprat populations in the Baltic Sea in order to secure the long-term viability of coastal and small-scale fisheries targeting those species and safeguarding marine food webs; believes that, based on scientific advice, recovery pauses for the respective stocks must be urgently considered, until scientific evidence demonstrates a clear and sustained recovery of the stocks;

    Amendment

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31. Amendment 31ECRMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 10
    Current text

    10. Highlights in this regard that to be as effective as possible, remedial measures require appropriate stakeholder involvement and must be based on the best available science in order to achieve their objectives; highlights furthermore the option of creating science-based fish-stock-recovery areas and temporary fishing closures in the Baltic Sea, focusing on winter and pre-spawning aggregation areas with a view to maintaining stable recruitment and a healthy age structure, as well as passive and active restoration measures including in spawning and nursery areas, aligned with provisions in relevant EU environmental legislation; highlights the importance of accompanying such measures with a…

    Amendment

    10. Highlights that the creation of additional fish stock recovery areas and area closures, including under the implementation of Natura 2000 and the Nature Restoration Law, requires appropriate stakeholder involvement and must be fully justified on a case-by-case basis by the best available science; highlights the importance of accompanying such measures with appropriate and timely compensation in line with relevant EU provisions;

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32. Amendment 32ECRMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 13
    Current text

    13. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to give priority to improving the socio-economic situation of small-scale coastal fishers; highlights the importance of fishing opportunities and fishing zones in coastal areas for small operators; highlights that Member States can achieve these improvements through their national quota allocations in line with Article 17 CFP, as well as through investments in selective and low-impact gear;

    Amendment

    13. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to give priority to improving the socio-economic situation of small-scale coastal fishers; highlights the importance of fishing opportunities and fishing zones in coastal areas for small operators; highlights that Member States can achieve these improvements through their national quota allocations in line with Article 17 CFP, as well as through investments in selective and low-impact gear; calls, furthermore, on the Commission and the Member States to assess and, where appropriate, implement differentiated access rules for Baltic Sea fisheries based on vessel length and gear type, specifically with a view to limiting the competitive pressure…

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33. Amendment 33ECRMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 14
    Current text

    14. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to further strengthen the implementation of the landing obligation to tackle illegal discarding in the Baltic Sea, recognising the need for workable measures, to support selectivity and reduce unwanted catches, and to implement the relevant provisions on this matter in line with the CFP and the Fisheries Control Regulation;

    Amendment

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34. Amendment 34ECRMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 18
    Current text

    18. Calls on the Member States to ensure the full and effective implementation of the EU fisheries control regulation, including provisions addressing misreporting of catches and strengthening the accuracy and reliability of catch reporting in the region;

    Amendment

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35. Amendment 35ECRMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 21
    Current text

    21. Calls on the Commission, in the case of the Baltic Sea, to request from ICES advice for precautionary buffers related to the uncertainty of the scientific advice, as well as the uncertainty of recruitment and biomass trajectory, as well as advice on the effects of not using ranges above MSY and all relevant consequences, avoiding rigid or automatic reductions that disregard socio-economic realities; stresses that MSY remains an important tool for adaptive and responsible management; calls furthermore on the Commission to request from STECF relevant socio-economic analyses for the Baltic Sea;

    Amendment

    21. Calls on the Commission, in the case of the Baltic Sea, to request from ICES advice for precautionary buffers related to the uncertainty of the scientific advice, as well as the uncertainty of recruitment and biomass trajectory, as well as advice on the effects of not using ranges above MSY and all relevant consequences, avoiding rigid or automatic reductions that disregard socio-economic realities; stresses that MSY remains an important tool for adaptive and responsible management; calls on the Commission and the Member States to apply the upper ranges within FMSY (fishing mortality consistent with achieving MSY) when setting TACs for Baltic Sea stocks wherever the best available scient…

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36. Amendment 36ECRMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 22
    Current text

    22. Calls on the Commission to base all stock assessments used for implementing EU law on BMSY biomass reference points, as reflected in the objectives of Article 3(1) of the Baltic MAP Regulation and Article 2(2) of the CFP;

    Amendment

    22. Calls on the Commission to base all stock assessments used for implementing EU law on FMSY, as this is reflected in the objectives of Article 3(1) of the Baltic MAP Regulation and Article 2(2) of the CFP;

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37. Amendment 37ECRMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 23
    Current text

    23. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure that the management of Baltic Sea fish stocks includes targets for the restoration of natural size and age distributions within populations in line with Article 2(5)(j) of the CFP that refers to Article 1(1) of the MSFD, recognising that healthy population structures contribute to reproductive capacity, stock resilience and ecosystem stability; encourages the development of monitoring indicators and more selective fishing practices developed in cooperation with the sector that can reduce the systematic removal of larger and older fish and better protect the recruitment potential of the stock;

    Amendment

    23. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure that the management of Baltic Sea fish stocks includes targets for the restoration of natural size and age distributions within populations in line with Article 2(5)(j) of the CFP that refers to Article 1(1) of the MSFD, recognising that healthy population structures contribute to reproductive capacity, stock resilience and ecosystem stability; encourages the development of monitoring indicators and more selective fishing practices developed in cooperation with the sector;

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38. Amendment 38ECRMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 26
    Current text

    26. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to initiate a comprehensive genetic population mapping in the Baltic Sea of certain commercially exploited species, including herring and sprat, as well as other commercially exploited species, based on the best available scientific knowledge, and to supplement evidence-based advice for better informed decisions on fishing opportunities and on technical measures; stresses that such genetic data must be fully validated by ICES and integrated into long-term stock assessment models before being used for management purposes;

    Amendment

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39. Amendment 39ECRMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 36
    Current text

    36. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to base any approach to natural predation on science and stakeholder consultations, including preventive, locally anchored and targeted management measures for great cormorants and grey seals, ensuring that any measures adopted are effective, fulfil all legal obligations, and include adequate monitoring, dedicated and adequate funding and strengthened stakeholder cooperation, to ensure the effectiveness of the implemented measures, including mitigation practices such as deterrents or physical exclusion;

    Amendment

    36. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to base any approach to natural predation on science and stakeholder consultations, including preventive and targeted management measures for great cormorants and grey seals, ensuring that any measures adopted are effective, fulfil all legal obligations, and include adequate monitoring, dedicated and adequate funding and strengthened stakeholder cooperation, to ensure the effectiveness of the implemented measures, including mitigation practices such as deterrents or physical exclusion;

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40. Amendment 40ECRMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 52
    Current text

    52. Emphasises that fisheries management in the EU should be based on European experience, science and regional realities; calls on the Commission to propose regionally adapted rules for the Baltic Sea for actions to be taken automatically when stocks fall below trigger values set in accordance with the precautionary approach, and reiterates that MSY management should be complemented where applicable by measures to differentiate catches according to size and age in the first place; considers that inspiration could be drawn from management practices in other regions such as those of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States, while ensuring consistency with the EU legal framework;

    Amendment

    52. Emphasises that fisheries management in the EU should be based on European experience, science and regional realities; calls on the Commission to propose regionally adapted rules for the Baltic Sea for actions to be taken automatically when stocks fall below trigger values set in accordance with the precautionary approach, and reiterates that MSY management should be complemented where applicable by measures to differentiate catches according to size and age in the first place;

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41. Amendment 41ECRMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 54
    Current text

    54. Calls for concrete and effective measures ensuring that fish caught in the Baltic Sea are increasingly directed towards direct human consumption, to promote and incentivise local food supply chains;

    Amendment

    54. Calls for concrete and effective measures ensuring that fish caught in the Baltic Sea are increasingly directed towards direct human consumption, to promote and incentivise local food supply chains; calls on the Commission to assess the competitive position of EU Baltic flatfish producers, including producers of plaice and flounder, in the context of increased imports of substitute species such as yellowfin sole from non-EU countries, and to consider, where appropriate, internal market protection measures, including tariff adjustments or preferential sourcing requirements for EU processing facilities, to ensure a level playing field for Baltic small-scale demersal fishers;

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42. Amendment 42ECRMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 55
    Current text

    55. Notes that some Member States in the Baltic Sea region such as Germany and Sweden have introduced national measures to restrict or prohibit bottom trawling in certain marine areas;

    Amendment

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43. Amendment 43ECRMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 56
    Current text

    56. Calls on the Commission and the Member States for the Baltic Sea to propose halting trawling for fish meal and fish oil during a rebuilding phase, and limiting extractive activities in MPAs; recognises that approaches differ across the Union in the light of specific ecological, legal and socio-economic contexts; encourages the Member States to continue developing proportionate, science-based solutions in cooperation with stakeholders, in particular the fishing sector and coastal communities, to improve marine protection while ensuring the viability of the EU fisheries sector through a just transition;

    Amendment

    56. Encourages the Member States to continue developing proportionate, science-based solutions in cooperation with stakeholders, in particular the fishing sector and coastal communities, to improve marine protection while ensuring the viability of the EU fisheries sector through a just transition;

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