Eastern Baltic cod stock on the brink of collapse

According to a report published by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) at the beginning of April, the Eastern Baltic Cod stock is “estimated to be in extremely depleted state”. Indeed, according to the ICES’ findings, natural mortality has increased while growth and reproduction capacity have decreased.

The Eastern Baltic Cod population has dramatically declined for many years and different factors, such as overfishing, eutrophication, food web interactions and climate change contributed to put a strain on the stock. ”