BOUNDARY-CONDITIONS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE USE OF MAJOR FISH STOCKS IN THE BALTIC SEA

The history of the management of Baltic fishery resources suggests tha t both biological and non-biological factors influence management deci sions and that both types of information are essential for management which promotes sustainability. There is a direct link between the expl oitation level and the risks for fishing as an economic activity due t o fluctuations in the resource. This paper analyses the sustainability of the present catch levels of major Baltic fish stocks. By examining the rate of fishing mortality and recruitment variability, the possib ility of sustaining present catch levels can be investigated. Current catch levels of Baltic cod and some salmon stocks are not sustainable whereas sprat and herring catches are. High rates of fishing mortality of cod and salmon may endanger stocks if a drop in the recruitment ca uses an increase of the fishing mortality rates in order to sustain sh ort-term catches. By analysing the trade off between exploitation leve l and risk of stock decline, managers can obtain a basis for quota neg otiations.