Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in Subdivision 32 (Gulf of Finland)

ICES advises that when the precautionary approach is applied, fishing mortality on wild salmon from the Gulf of Finland should be as low as possible. Most of the salmon in the Gulf of Finland are of reared origin. Effort in fisheries catching salmon should not increase and improved measures to focus selection on the reared stocks should be implemented. Such measures should include relocation of coastal fisheries away from sites likely to be on the migration paths of Gulf of Finland wild salmon. Fin-clipping of reared salmon stocks would allow wild salmon to be distinguished from non-wild salmon as well as assist in identifying wild salmon locations and fisheries on wild salmon. Relocation of fisheries away from rivers and rivers mouths supporting wild stocks, or mixed stocks with only supportive releases, should also be considered. Wild salmon should be protected from poaching when they return to rivers.

Assuming that the amount of reared salmon released in 2016 is similar to previous years, the total commercial sea catch in 2017 should not exceed 11 800 salmon (where the fisheries selection should be focused on the reared stocks). Applying the same proportions estimated to have occurred in 2015, this catch would be split as follows: 16% unwanted catch (previously referred to as discards) and 84% wanted catch (81% reported and 3% unreported). Setting a TAC under a discard ban needs to take account of wanted and unwanted catch. In setting the TAC, consideration should also be given to expected unreporting levels in 2017.

Effort in the salmon fishery in the Main Basin (subdivisions 24–29) should not increase, as wild salmon from the Gulf of Finland use the Main Basin as a feeding area.