Sweden Opposes EU's Baltic Sea Fishing Quota Agreement Amid Environmental Concerns

Sweden has opposed a recently concluded EU agreement on fishing quotas for the Baltic Sea, which raises herring quotas by 15% while slashing sprat quotas by 40% in the Gulf of Bothnia and the Bay of Bothnia. The decision, finalized around 9:30 AM on October 28, 2025, reflected a majority EU consensus that Sweden was outvoted on after pushing for stricter limits to accelerate fish stock recovery.

Danish Fisheries Minister Jacob Jensen, who led the negotiations, expressed satisfaction with what he described as a balanced compromise based on scientific advice. However, Sweden criticized the agreement as insufficient to protect the Baltic Sea's marine ecosystem. Landsbygdsminister Peter Kullgren acknowledged some fish stock recovery this year but insisted on the need for lower quotas to speed this process.

Experts warn of the long-term ecological and economic risks of the current quotas. Johanna Fox, head of WWF's international Baltic Sea program, highlighted the ongoing crisis trends reminiscent of the cod fishing collapse, stressing that the stock of cod has yet to recover and this affects the populations of sprat and herring. Cecilia Soler, a business economics researcher, cautioned that the present fishing practices threaten the economic and social sustainability of the fisheries sector.

Fisheries biologist Henrik Svedäng called for a shift in political attitudes to better safeguard the Baltic Sea, emphasizing the critical ecosystem role played by sprat and herring. The controversy underscores Sweden’s stance that the negotiated quotas do not adequately mitigate the risks to marine biodiversity or the livelihoods dependent on fishing in the region.

The EU negotiations and Sweden's dissent illustrate the tension between economic interests and conservation efforts in managing the Baltic Sea’s fisheries. A press conference to further detail the agreement is anticipated shortly.