This article was featured in Eurofish Magazine 6 2025.
Starting 10 January 2026, Estonia will introduce stricter rules on fish sales and significantly increase fines for violations, as part of a proposed amendment to the Fishing Act. The reform, led by the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, aims to align national regulations with the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy. Under the bill, individuals without registered sales records will be limited to purchasing ten kilograms of fish per day, down from the current 30 kilograms. For Baltic salmon, the daily limit will be two fish. The ministry stated that while the measure will mainly affect coastal residents who buy directly from fishers, the change will help reduce undocumented sales and improve traceability. Penalties for serious offences will rise sharply, addressing criticism by the European Commission. Individuals could face fines of up to €50,000, and businesses up to €400,000 or five times the illegal profit. Repeat offenders may see penalties doubled. The bill also mandates that fishers report both catches and releases, and that vessels 12 metres or longer be tracked at sea from 2026, expanding to all vessels by 2030.
