Options of Handling Choke Species in the View of the EU Landing Obligation – The Baltic Plaice Example

Under current fishing patterns, the Landing Obligation may result in plaice choking some Baltic Sea cod and mixed demersal fisheries. We propose a structured approach (decision tree) to identify solutions to the apparent problems, demonstrating how this problem can largely be mitigated by quota swaps, the use of more selective gear and spatio-temporal avoidance, for which the Landing Obligation will create incentives. As a last resort, short-term solutions are the provisions of flexibilities and exemptions in the CFP Basic Regulation.