Baltic cod and herring stocks have not recovered despite years of EU quota cuts.

Omissions

• The claim does not distinguish between individual stocks; the picture varies somewhat by stock (e.g., Gulf of Bothnia herring is in comparatively better condition, though advised catches were still reduced for 2026), but the cod and herring stocks central to the claim remain at critically low levels.
• The ICES reports and the European Commission proposal (COM(2025) 458, published 2025-08-26) are dated before the session date (2026-07-09) and describe the stock status for 2025-2027, so the MEP could legitimately have known them.
• Scientific sources (ICES, Commission) attribute the lack of recovery not only to overfishing but also to environmental factors (hypoxia/dead zones, low oxygen, and pollution), which supports the MEP's broader diagnosis that quota cuts alone were insufficient.

Sources

• PrimaryICES — Cod (Gadus morhua) in subdivisions 24–32, eastern Baltic stockICES advises that when the precautionary approach is applied, there should be zero catch in 2025 and 2026 (1). This advice applies to all [fleets]. The eastern Baltic cod stock remains in poor condition, with zero-catch advice maintained.
• PrimaryEuropean Commission — Proposal for fishing opportunities for 2026 (COM(2025) 458)(14) As regards central Baltic herring, ICES estimates that the stock has been below Blim most of the last 30 years.
• PrimaryICES — Cod (Gadus morhua) in subdivisions 22–24, western Baltic stockStock development over time. Spawning-stock size is below MSY Btrigger, Bpa, and Blim. No reference points for fishing pressure have been defined for this stock.
• Secondaryfishsec.org — Overview: ICES advice on Baltic Sea fishing opportunitiesThe advice for the eastern Baltic cod remains at zero catch. Advice for this stock is now given biannually, and the condition has remained poor.
• Secondaryfishsec.org — Press release: NGOs to EU decision makers: Commit to a Genuine Baltic Sea Recovery PlanICES maintains its zero-catch advice for Eastern Baltic cod in 2026 and 2027. ... The advice for Western Baltic herring remains zero catch for [2026].
• SecondarySeas At Risk — Fisheries Ministers Risk Breaking EU Law, Jeopardising Baltic Sea RecoveryICES has advised zero catch for western Baltic herring since 2019, for eastern Baltic cod since 2020, and for western Baltic cod since 2025.