18 May 2026 17:49 UTC · European Commission · EU Commission Press Release · Source · Email X Link

European Commission welcomes report and outlines Baltic Sea actions

Key points

Need for comprehensive cross-border, cross-sector action
Commission to evaluate and possibly revise Baltic multiannual plan

TL;DR

Commission welcomes the Isabella Lövin Report and its comprehensive approach to Baltic Sea challenges.
Commission says many Baltic issues go beyond fisheries and require coordinated cross-border, cross-sector action.
Commission will evaluate and possibly revise the multiannual plan for the Baltic Sea and follow up on the CFP evaluation, including Vision 2040 planned for this Autumn.
Commission reports ongoing work with scientists, Member States and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea to develop ecosystem-based scientific advice for western Baltic fisheries.

Original text

European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Speech by Commissioner Kadis at the European Parliament plenary debate on the Isabella Lövin Report: Implementation of the Multiannual Plan for the Baltic Sea Strasbourg, 18 May 2026 President, Honourable Members, The Commission welcomes this timely and important report. The situation of the Baltic Sea ecosystem has been difficult for far too long. The report rightly underscores the necessity for comprehensive action and cooperation with all the relevant actors across multiple policies concerned. In this regard, I recall the discussions during the third “Our Baltic” high-level conference in Stockholm last September. I welcome that the comprehensive approach of this report goes very much into the same direction as the discussion which emerged in Stockholm. The report outlines a range of urgent actions, including improvement of the scientific advice, as well as a proposed change to the legal framework. It also highlights a multitude of critical elements that demand attention, such as combating climate change, implementing environmental legislation and establishing marine protected areas. Additionally, it touches on issues like nutrient inflows, eutrophication, pollutants, unexploded ammunitions, offshore wind farms or the behaviour of Russia, to name just a few. I fully share your view that these issues must be addressed. At the same time, many of the challenges we face in the Baltic Sea go beyond fisheries, and the Common Fisheries Policy is not the only instrument for addressing those challenges. A more comprehensive approach with coordinated cross-border action across all relevant sectors and policy fields is needed. This is precisely why the European Ocean Pact is so critical to bring science, policy, and practice together to build a comprehensive strategy that delivers real results. Other key instruments to address the challenges are part of the wider context of the CFP, such as the Control Regulation, improving scientific advice, the internal distribution of national quotas, quota flexibility, or the protection of certain species. These important topics will be addressed in the follow- up to the evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation, including in the preparation of the Vision 2040 for fisheries and aquaculture, planned for this Autumn. More specifically on the multi-annual plan for the Baltic Sea, the report includes a call on the Commission to evaluate and possibly revise it. We will carefully look into all options. I would like to recall the joint statement by the Commission and the Baltic Member States agreed at the AGRIFISH Council last October, which confirmed our common ambition and determination to start rebuilding trajectories for the fisheries in the Baltic Sea, which would improve the income of fishers and reduce the fluctuations between years. We now need to confirm this path at the October Council this year. As regards science, my services have already been working with the scientists and the Member States to identify stocks which could benefit from multiannual advice. In addition, the Commission is in close dialogue with the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, to launch a research programme dedicated to the formulation of ecosystem-based scientific advice for the western Baltic fisheries. The aim is to develop the scientific and operational foundation needed to produce actionable advice that takes into account a wide range of ecosystem issues, many of which were identified in your report. SPEECH/26/1105

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