The Battle for Baltic Herring: A Delicacy at Risk
Fermented herring, a Swedish delicacy, is facing a crisis as Baltic herring populations dwindle due to industrial trawlers scooping them up for Norwegian farmed salmon feed. This has sparked a debate on how to save the endangered herring stock.
Fresh farmed salmon in Norway
| Bloomberg
The European Commission proposed halting herring fishing to protect stocks, but the ban was vetoed by Baltic states. Bjorn Lundgren, a small-scale fisher, calls for banning herring fishing for purposes other than human consumption to save the species.
The decline in herring stocks is disrupting the fragile Baltic Sea ecosystem, which relies on herring as a key food source for various marine life. The industrial trawlers are a major threat, alongside other environmental stressors like agricultural runoff and climate change impacts.
Efforts to quantify how much Baltic herring ends up in Norwegian fish farms have faced challenges due to global trade complexities. Despite studies claiming a minimal impact on herring stocks, the industry’s massive demand for feed poses a significant threat to the Baltic ecosystem.
The Norwegian salmon industry has reduced its reliance on marine ingredients but still needs them for essential nutrients. The industry is exploring alternative feed sources while continuing to manage marine resources responsibly.
Last year, farms in Norway exported $17 billion of fish, and the government has pushed the industry to expand fivefold by 2050.
| AFP-Jiji
The surge in demand for Norwegian aquaculture feed poses a significant threat to the Baltic herring population. Small-scale fisheries and iconic Swedish delicacies are under pressure due to dwindling fish stocks and policy failures.
Policymakers and environmentalists are calling for strict measures to regulate trawling and protect herring populations. The future of Baltic herring hangs in the balance as efforts to sustain the fish face challenges amidst the booming aquaculture industry.