At the meeting of the Estonian-Russian fishing commission for Lake Peipus, Lake Warm, and Lake Pskov, quotas and the procedure for catching fish for 2026 were agreed upon at the suggestion of scientists from both countries.
"As in the previous year, only issues related to the conservation and rational use of fish stocks in Lake Peipus, Lake Warm, and Lake Pskov were discussed. It is important for Estonia to avoid a situation where the Russian Federation would unilaterally set quotas and catch too large a portion of the fish stocks in the common water body. The value of the fish caught under the quotas in Lake Peipus at first purchase prices is about five million euros, which is an important source of income for many residents of the region," said the head of the Estonian delegation, the head of the fish resources department of the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, Herki Tuus.
The Quota for Catching Pikeperch Will Be Increased
The population of pikeperch, the most important commercial fish in the lake, has been numerous in recent years, and the state of its stocks is consistently good. Therefore, compared to the current year, the quota for catching pikeperch for next year will be increased by 255 tons and will amount to 1,025 tons.
The Quota for Catching Smelt Will Remain the Same
Next year, the quota for catching smelt will remain at the current year's level and will amount to 15 tons. Fishing will be allowed from July 21 to August 20.
The Catch of Coregonus and Smelt Remains Prohibited
As in the current year, the catch of coregonus and smelt will be prohibited in 2026, as the stocks of these species have not recovered. The stocks of smelt have significantly decreased compared to the previous year, as it serves as food for the numerous young predatory fish in the lake.
The Catch of Perch and Bream Will Be Reduced, While Pike Will Be Increased Compared to This Year
Perch, the second most important commercial fish in the lake, will be limited to a catch of only 450 tons next year — 470 tons less than this year. "In the long term, the stocks of perch raise serious concerns, not only for the Estonian side," explained Tuus. The reason for this is the lack of replenishment of the population in recent years.
"To ensure that we have not underestimated the stocks of perch, an agreement was reached to reassess its population in the first half of next year. If the change in the quota proves justified, it can be adjusted during the year. The sharp reduction in the quota for perch can be partially mitigated by carrying over the unused remainder of this year's quota of several dozen tons to next year," he added.
The stocks of bream remain at a good level, and the Estonian side will be able to catch 820 tons, which is 230 tons less than this year. The stocks of pike are stable, and it will be possible to catch 135 tons — 15 tons more than this year.
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