The European Commission tabled its proposal on fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea for 2013 in which it proposes higher Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for sprat, for the stocks of Central and Western herring and for plaice. The overall aim of the Commission's proposal is to make fisheries in the Baltic Sea environmentally and economically sustainable by following scientific advice.

The European Commission's proposal on fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea for 2013 includes higher Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for sprat, for the stocks of Central and Western herring and for plaice. It also reduces the TACs of the remaining pelagic stocks to respond to the natural fluctuations of stocks and ensure Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) levels. The number of days at sea for fishing vessels remain the same as in previous years. In July, the Commission also presented New measures for better protection for deep-sea stocks in the North-East Atlantic.

The proposal follows the scientific advice which indicates that the number of stocks managed at MSY level in the Baltic Sea might be increasing. The cuts in TACs adopted in previous years proved effective and the number of stocks being fished at MSY level could go from three to six in 2013, if the proposed Total Allowable Catches (TACs) are adopted.

The overall aim of the Commission's proposal, which be discussed by the Member States' Ministers at the October Fisheries Council, is to make fisheries in the Baltic Sea environmentally and economically sustainable by following scientific advice. This comes from the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee on Fisheries (STECF) and from International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES). The Baltic Sea Regional Advisory Council (BSRAC) was equally consulted on this proposal in May.