Who and under what conditions will go fishing: a list of 323 vessels has been approved

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This year, 323 vessels will be able to engage in fishing in the coastal waters of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga, according to information published by the Ministry of Agriculture (MZ).

The Ministry of Agriculture (MZ) has included vessels from ten coastal ports in the list.

From the port of Roja, 52 vessels will be able to engage in fishing, from the port of Engure – 52 vessels, from the port of Skulte – 48, and from the ports of Salacgriva and Ventspils – 40 vessels each. Additionally, fishing will be allowed for 28 vessels from Liepaja, 22 from Riga, 16 from Mersrags, 16 from Pavilosta, and nine vessels from the port of Lielupe.

In a statement from the MZ in the official publication "Latvian Herald," it is noted that the list of vessels permitted for fishing in the coastal waters of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga in 2026 includes fishing vessels registered at the time of the decision in the Latvian Ship Register of the Maritime Administration of Latvia.

The list includes vessels whose registration certificates specify the purpose as fishing vessel, motor fishing boat, or rowing fishing boat. It is also taken into account that the gross tonnage and the power of the main engine of these vessels correspond to the overall indicators of the Latvian fishing fleet, and the vessels themselves are included in the general register of the fishing fleet of the European Union.

The MZ reports that vessels included in the list are allowed to use stationary, that is, passive, fishing gear with a mesh size of at least 110 millimeters when fishing in the coastal waters of the Baltic Sea (except for specialized fishing for flatfish species), or 157 millimeters when catching salmon.

Fishing is also permitted using towed fishing gear with a mesh size of at least 120 millimeters or towed fishing gear with a mesh size of at least 105 millimeters, equipped with a "Bacoma" type exit window with a mesh size of 120 millimeters.

Fishing using towed gear with bait is allowed for vessels that have a special permit for hook fishing. Fishing using a towed trawl with bait and a mesh size of 12 to 15 millimeters is permitted only for specialized fishing for sand eel. Fishing with a mesh size of 16 to 24 millimeters is allowed for specialized fishing of unregulated or small pelagic fish species.

When fishing for flatfish species, it is permitted to use stationary, that is, passive, fishing gear with a mesh size of at least 90 millimeters or towed fishing gear with a mesh size of at least 120 millimeters or at least 105 millimeters if equipped with a "Bacoma" type exit window with a mesh size of 120 millimeters.