Member companies of the Estonian Association of Fisheries invested 27 million in 1994, 43 million in 1995 and 50 million EEK in 1996. Investments made in 1996 were divided almost 50:50 between facilities and equipment. The biggest investment project in 1994–1995 was a new canning factor) of OÜ Vi.ru Rand (total cost of 30 MEEK). One of the biggest ongoing projects is a new canning factory' of AS ETK Parnu Kalamajand. For the period 1997–2000 member companies of the Estonian Association of Fisheries are planning to invest at least 150 MEEK.
An important part of the investments is made for modernising the production facilities in order t0 make them meet the EU standards of hygiene. As the ex-Soviet fish-processing equipment is depreciating, an important part of investments is directed for purchasing new or renovated equipment from the Western Europe. According to the EU regulation that bans grading of fish onboard, investment money could be directed to use in fishing harbours for fish-pumps, grading equipment and ice generators
According to the Estonian Constitution: “The natural wealth and resources of Estonia are national riches which shall be used economically (§ 5) and “Everyone has a duty to preserve the human and natural environment and to compensate for damage caused to the environment by him or her” (§53).
From the Act on Sustainable Development
“The purpose of sustainable use of natural environment and natural resources is to guarantee an environment meeting human needs as well as necessary resources for economic development without causing significant damage to the environment and maintaining natural diversity. …
Minimisation of pollution of the natural environment and the use of natural resources in the amounts maintaining natural balance, are the fundamental requirements of economic activity. …The use of natural resources shall be regulated by use and pay rates, on the establishment of which the impact of using nature on the environment is taken into account. Plans, programmes, development projects and projects shall be made public.” (§ion;§ion;2–6)
Figure 6.
[Insert Figure 6: Investments of the Bigger Members of the Association of Fisheries, 1994 - Forecast 1997]
Source: Eesti Kalaliit
The Estonian Environmental Strategy is based on the following principles (see Chapter 7 of this Strategy):
Influencing the economy towards sustainability with the goal of satisfying the needs of the present generation without damaging the interests of future generations.
Preventing and avoiding environmental damage, with a focus on the causes.
Cautious decision making; decisions should be avoided if the impact on the environment is not clear.
Inclusion of environmental requirements into development strategies of other economic sectors and following those requirements in each case of natural resource usage and protection.
Reflecting environmental requirements, apart from environmental legislation, in other legal acts concerning general economic and social life.
Improving public attitudes towards the environment as part of Estonia's commonwealth.
Adoption of the “polluter pays” principle in pursuit of all economic activities.
Cooperation with other countries in solving global and regional environmental problems.
Application of environmental protection measures at the political and administrative levels most suitable for achievement of the best results.
Promotion of traditional nature conservation and nature care practices to ensure environmental consciousness in the interests of society as a whole.
The Environmental Strategy is based on the principle that Estonia will move towards:
application of best available technology;
implementation of best environmental practices.
Renewable resources will be used within the limits of ecosystem productivity. To achieve this goal, research on criteria of sustainability in fisheries is needed.
The following legislative acts and regulations are very important for the fisheries from an environmental viewpoint:
Acts:
Fisheries Act (27.09.1995)
Fishing Law of the Republic of Estonia § 29, 30 (21.11.1991)
Law on the Economic Zone (28.01.1993)
Water Act (1994)
Act on the Protection of Marine and Freshwater Coasts, Shores and Banks (22.02. 1995)
Act on Sustainable Development (22.02. 1995)
Regulations of Government:
Fishing Rules (1996)
Rules for use and protection of the fish resources in the Estonian economic zone (05 05.1994)
Establishment of Pollution Charge Rates (29.05.1995) Establishment of Requirements on Damming Water Courses (7.04.1995) Establishment of Procedures and Compensation Rates for the Damage Caused to Natural Flora and Fauna (25.07.1995)
Regulations of the Ministry of the Environment:
On forming the Eesti Kalakapital or Estonian Fish Capital Fund (14.05.1993)
On the establishment of rules of granting the water permits (28.02.1994)
Establishment of rules of application, calculation and payment of the pollution charge (28.02.1994)
Certification of the statute of Põlula Fish Breeding Centre (14.03. 1994)
On the certification of the rules of compensation for the damage made by the protected
species of animals living freely in nature (27.05.1994)
Certification of the register of lakes (inland water bodies) for public use (23.11.1994) Establishment of the directive for fixing the zones of sanitary protection areas of water
supply systems and water intakes (01.12.1994) Certification of Publicly Used Water Courses (28.02. 1995).
It is important to mention that Estonian Fishery Act (RT 1, 1995, 80; 1996, 27, 567) (Annex I) in force regulates fishing and harvesting bottom vegetation only, and it does not, for example, regulates fish farming activities. Fish processing and fish trade in Estonia are covered by general business-related legislation. Fish processing is considered a part of the general foodstuff processing industry and there is no special legislation developed to regulate specifically fish processing in Estonia. Fish processing hygiene and quality-related issues are covered by the Estonian Food Act, now in force.
The UN FAO provided the Estonian Government (Ministry of Environment) with technical assistance in the revision of the Estonian fisheries-related legislation and in drafting the necessary amendments. FAO legal expert Dr Ellen Kern revised the Estonian Fisheries Act and proposed and partly drafted the necessary amendments. Legal analysis of the Fisheries Act and relevant fisheries legislation in force was carried out by a group of specialists under the aegis of the Estonian Ministry of Environment. It is planned that the most important amendments (including harmonisation with the EU corresponding regulations) to the Estonian fisheries legislation will be drafted in 1997–1998
The Nordic Council of Ministers started a technical assistance project in 1996 in order to facilitate the harmonisation of fisheries legislation in the Baltic Republics with the corresponding EU fisheries-related regulations. The project has started and it is planned to finish the main part of the task in 1997–1998.
The aim of the technical assistance provided by the Danish Government in 1997 is to assist the Fisheries Department of the Ministry of Environment in developing and implementing the Estonian Fisheries Development Plan and the structural harmonisation of the Estonian fisheries sector with the provisions of the EU Common Fisheries Policy.
The EU PHARE technical assistance project is planned to start in 1997 in order to develop and implement a framework based on a Geographic Information System (G1S), for more efficient fish resources management in Estonia (including also harmonisation with the relevant EU requirements).
The annual capacity of the Estonian fishing fleet is 70,000–80,000 tons, and the capacity has been fully utilised at times in the past. The quota for the main Estonian fish species (Baltic herring + sprat + cod) is about 110–120 thousand tons. As the coastal fishermen cannot catch much more than 12–15 tons, in order to fulfill the quota the fishing fleet would have to catch about 100 – 110 thousand tons. This would mean increasing the catching intensity about 20 – 30 thousand tons.
On the other hand, Estonia's fishing capacity (the number of fishing vessels, boats and fishermen) now exceeds the fish resources available at least for some species. In addition to that, most of the fishing vessels and boats are quite old and considerable investments would be needed just to keep the fishing capacity at the present level. Both these factors point toward a reduction in capacity.
Present surveillance and control capabilities for enforcing fishing rules and respect for quotas are insufficiently developed. The base of statistical support for fisheries management also is weak and insufficiently computerised for its expected uses.
While stocking programmes for lake fisheries have grown, they are still inadequate and costly.
The number of fishing ports is decreasing, and many of them are in deteriorated condition, especially the smaller ones There is a lack of means to maintain and manage these ports. The fishermen expect the State to carry out the often expensive works of reconstructing the ports.
The seals are often mentioned as the main problem the fishermen face. They not only damage the nets, but also they frighten away the fish and empty gear nets. The compensation mechanism, worked out by the Government, is clumsy and time-consuming.
River-borne effluents have damaged the reproductive capacity of some coastal fishing grounds and in lakes. As noted in section I.B above, there are three critical coastal areas from a viewpoint of sea water pollution. This problem is reviewed also in Chapter 7 of this Strategy.
Fisheries management on the county government level is currently not very efficient. As well as holding back the development of the fisheries sector, this weakness also impedes the development of integrated plans for coastal management. In the long run, some coastal areas will not be able to continue their past and present dependence on fisheries, so integrated development programmes, which would involve fisheries, agriculture, forestry, manufacturing, tourism and other activities, should be formulated with the active participation of local populations. Local governments should guide this process, and to do so their capabilities of managing resources and infrastructure need to be strengthened.
For the time Estonia joins the EU our fishery should be at the same level with it in terms of the quality of fish, the fleet and its equipment, and also be able to fulfill the quota we have at that time. The is also a need to amend the Fishery Act in force in order to harmonise the Estonian fisheries legislation with the provisions of the EU's Coimmon Fisheries Policy.
The main problem for L. Peipsi, the fact that there is no common strategy between Estonia and Russia for fisheries management.
The Estonian Baltic Sea fishing fleet is generally old. As a consequence:
The main machines take too much fuel in spite of their little output and are forced to work overcharged.
The fleet often needs repairs and spare parts.
The ships need too many crew members.
The work decks are too small and open to mount separators.
The holds are too small for working and disposing fish.
The steel of which the hull is built does meet the shipbuilding requirements and is very rusted. Therefore expensive and frequent hull repairs are needed.
All these factors make the cost of the fish harvest too high and lowers the ability of the Estonian fleet to compete on the international market.
Estonian fishing policy's main economic goal should be to reduce the cost and increase the quality. To better the quality the fish has to be sorted, cooled with ice and packaged right after being caught at sea. To reduce the cost the best strategy would be to modernise the existing fleet as follows:
Replace aged boats with more modern ones which consume less fuel and require smaller crews and would have enough space to mount the machinery needed to increase the product's quality. At the same time the price would have to be reasonable for the ship owners. .
Modernise the old ships that have not worn out yet, of which the most expensive pan would be the replacement of the main engines .
The obstacle to achieving this modernisation is the poverty of our fishermen and shipowners. At present market prices of fish it has not been possible for the fishermen to gather enough money to buy a new boat. Also it is not possible to get loans because they would be large in relation to the fishermen's payment capacity, even with low interest rates. Right now the only possibility would be to buy ships 15 years old or more which would be able to work 5 more years without having to spend exceptional sums on repairing them. By that time the fisherman would have to be capable of buying a new ship, of course with a loan, preferably at low interest rates. An ideal solution would be to lease ships from the EU for up to 10 years.
Estonia has a shipyard that would be able to modernise the existing boats and build new ones; there could be up to 8 ships in dry dock at the same time. But the fishermen and the shipyard lack enough money to start in this direction. For the owners it is economical to modernise only the MRTK-Baltica and MKRTM-Laukava type ships.
The processing industry does not want unsorted fish and forces the fishermen with the low prices. The fishermen lack the separators and the means to get them. But the processor has started to buy sorted fish from outside. The same situation is with the cooling (ice machine) . The ports cannot get or buy the ice but the processor does not think of it as his problem.
Loans for exports and for fishfood purchases are needed for larger producers. Every fifth fisherman is interested in borrowing money. However, often they lack the guarantees demanded by banks or they think that fishing is not profitable enough to be able to pay back the loan.
Although the fishing and fish processing sectors have fared somewhat better than agriculture since 1991. nevertheless their economic conditions have deteriorated. In part this situation is attributable to the same macroeconomic problems that affect agriculture and agro-industry, which are reviewed in Chapters 2 and 4 of this Strategy'. Because of cost-price relationships profitability in much of the. sector is low, and this makes it more difficult to attract the capital necessary for improving productivity.
The main trouble for the fisheries in L. Võrtsjärv are permanently rising prices of glass eels for stocking.
While these problems of fishermen can be identified, it should be added that there is insufficient knowledge in a systematic form of the economic problems of fishermen and the social and economic problems of fishing communities.
The main problems of the fish-processing industry are currently the following:
Machines and equipment, basically originating from the previous Soviet Union are badly depreciated.
Hygienic and sanitary standards of EU are not yet met by the production processes. There does not yet exist an adequate framework for quality control in the industry.
Productivity is low.
Most of the production capacity is used to turn out products that have demand only on the Eastern (ex-Soviet) market.
D. The financial situation of the companies is characterised by the lack of working capital. Bank interest rates arc too high for the industry.
Production is uneconomical and too big a volume of waste is produced.
Regulations of the Estonian Food Act have not yet been developed for fish processing.
There have been difficulties in restructuring the national fisheries education system and harmonising it with the requirements of a market economy. There is also a need to widen the scope of and to improve the quality of fisheries research (including research in fisheries management and economics) and the funding of the fisheries science. As noted above, funding for fisheries research has declined, and it is vital for the industry especially fish stock assessments. Socio-economic studies of fishing communities also are very much needed to assist the planning process.
Fisheries Department of the Estonian Ministry of Environment is developing the national strategy for fisheries based on the principles of theStrategy for Fisheries Management andDevelopmentestablished by the FAO World Fisheries Conference in 1984, the relevant provisions of theUnited Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),theDeclaration of Cancun,theRio DeclarationandAgenda 21 of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development(UNCED),theUnited Nations Agreement on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocksand theFAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries,including theAgreement toPromote Compliance with International Conservation and Management Measures by FishingVessels on the High Seas, the Kyoto Declaration and Plan of Actionand the requirements of theEuropean Union's Common Fisheries Policy.Estonian Strategy for Fisheries is being continuously harmonised with changing situation in World fisheries.
The aim of the Estonian fisheries strategy is to create the framework forsustainable development of the Estonian fisheries sector proceeding from Estonian naturalpreconditions and national interests. The strategy is focused on how the sustainablecontribution of the sector to economic welfare could be improved. In this connection, thefollowing objectives arc considered important:
maintaining a high quality coastal and marine environment, protecting of valuable species and biodiversity, conserving of critical habitats, restoring of damaged fisheries ecosystems;
supporting an integrated and balanced development of the coastal fisheries contributing to the restoration of the coastal communities and their culture;
adjusting the capacity of the distant water and Baltic fishing fleets to the fish resources available, developing energy- and resource-saving coastal and inland fisheries and fish farming;
developing the Estonian fish market and fish quality management, promoting the Estonian fish trade and export;
developing national fish resource management and a surveillance system;
developing fisheries science;
supporting the transfer of know-how and fisheries information exchanges;
promoting the public awareness through environmental and fisheries education and training;
developing international fisheries cooperation.
To achieve the goals of the Estonian Strategy for Fisheries the Action Plans 2002 and 2010 should be elaborated in necessary details and implemented on the state level. The main tasks of the Action Plans are:
to complete the restructuring and harmonisation of the Estonian fisheries sector with provisions of the EU's Common Fisheries Policy;
to ensure the integration of fisheries into Estonian coastal area management;
to defend the interest of the fisheries sector in, negotiations when dealing with cross- sectoral issues.
The Fisheries Department of the Ministry of Environment shall prepare and continually review a plan for the management and sustainable development of the fishery resources of Estonia's waters -Estonian Fisheries Management Plan.
The National Fisheries Management Plan will be formulated through consultation with competent governmental bodies and interested natural and legal persons and will be based on:
the best scientific evidence available either from national sources or from competent regional organisations;
careful consideration of the effects on associated or dependent species to maintain or restore populations above levels at which reproduction may become serious threatened.
The National Fisheries Management Plan shall:
state management and development objectives for the fishery resources in Estonian waters;
identify the available fishery resources and estimate their potential yields;
assess the present state of exploitation of each resource;
take into account all relevant biological, social and economic factors and determine possible expansion or needed restriction on the exploitation of each resource,
if necessary, list threatened or endangered species and propose appropriate protection measures, including prohibited fishing methods and closed seasons;
estimate the number of licences to be issued to Estonian citizens and to foreigners to fish ' in Estonian waters.
In the future any fisheries management and development plan required of a water body owner shall be consistent with the objectives, principles, requirements and conditions of the National Fisheries Management and Sustainable Development Plan.
Regarding the excess fishing capacity, the Fisheries Department of the Ministry of Environment should elaborate and implement within the framework of theEstonian Fisheries Management Plana policy for restructuring the national fishing industry, including the relevant legislation and economic incentives to:
Also, success in managing the restructuring of the Estonian fishing industry in one of the important preconditions for the harmonisation of the Estonian fisher)' sector with the provisions of the EU Common Fisheries Policy.
In order to achieve these goals, it is important to take into account the fact that most families involved in coastal fishing are fairly poor. A solution to this fundamental problem of excess fishing capacity could start from the additional fact that the right of these families to fish in Estonian waters was implicitly recognised by policy many years ago, in some cases decades ago. Under present environmental policy, the State has a right and obligation to license and control the rate of exploitation of natural resources, including fish stocks. Although the licensing policy should be formalised, in effect, fishermen now have a “historical license” to fish even if it does not take explicit form.
In light of these considerations, in order to balance fishing capacity with sustainable levels of fish stocks, the State could initiate a programme of “buying back” fishing rights from fishermen. The payments associated with such a purchase of rights (even if they are implicit rights) would then assist fishing families to start new economic activities, whether in their coastal villages o elsewhere. At the same time, those payments would have the effect of reducing capacity in the fishing sector, thus permitting achievement of the goal of sustainable management of the resource. Since several countries of Europe stand to benefit from achieve of sustainable management of fish stocks, it may be possible to obtain international support for financing this type of programme.
Another component of the programme, which would be of absolute importance, would be to renegotiate reduced quotas internationally. If Estonia's unfulfilled quotas were 10 be exploited by other nations, then the reduction of national fishing capacity would not have the desired effect of promoting sustainability of fish stocks.
Fishermen's associations should play a more active role in informing their membership and the general public of the importance of sustainable management of fish stocks.
To support this programme, surveillance and control capabilities need to be improved by promoting cooperation between the different institutions responsible (sea inspection, border guards, police) and to develop better public awareness concerning the sustainable use of fisheries resources. International cooperation in the field of fisheries surveillance should be strengthened as well.
The sector's statistical base needs improvement so that it can give stronger support to the management function. A modem fish resources management and control system is needed. The computer network and corresponding software delivered through the technical assistance programme of the Swedish Government could be used for that purpose.
The main immediate tasks in the area of restocking are:
To halt the decline in the number of fishing ports and to fund their maintenance, efforts should be made to awaken county governments' possible interest in participating in sharing the expenses of the maintenance and management of those ports. In some areas that are especially dependent on fisheries for sustaining the local economy, a large part of the local population could benefit, directly and indirectly, from preventing port closures, so support of this nature from local governments would be quite rational in the circumstances.
The issue of the damage from the seals has both technical and economic dimensions. On the technical side, there needs to be greater cooperation between scientists, fishermen's associations and Government in seeking viable solutions. Also, international experience on this issue should be studied carefully.
In regard to the economic dimension, the Government needs to ensure that fishermen receive adequate and timely compensation for the damages caused by seals, since environmental regulations prevent fishermen from defending themselves from this problem.
Fortunately, water pollution is being reduced through the initiation of operations of additional wastewater treatment plants. However; much remains to be done in this area, and it is important to carry out the programme recommended in Chapter 7.
In order to improve the effectiveness of county governments in fisheries management, it is necessary to increase the cooperation and exchange of information between the Fisheries Department of the Ministry of Environment and the county governments. Also, the Estonian Fisheries Council should carry out an evaluation of problems in fisheries management at the county government level and develop possible solutions and promote wider discussions of fisheries policy.
In some of the most fisheries-dependent areas in Estonia (Baltic islands, the Peipsi Lake area), the economic and social situation is critical enough that special economic support and incentives should be provided through regional development programmes.
In order to improve the effectiveness of county governments in fisheries management, it is necessary to increase the cooperation and exchange of information between the Fisheries Department of the Ministry of Environment and the county governments. Also, the Estonian Fisheries Council should carry out an evaluation of problems in fisheries management at the county government level and develop possible solutions and promote wider discussions of fisheries policy.
Within the framework of Estonia's accession to the EU and in accordance with the corresponding harmonisation schedule, all necessary amendments of Estonian fisheries legislation should be made. In addition, efforts should be continued to reach agreements with Russia on fisheries management in Lake Peipsi.
To start modernising the trawling ships it is necessary to replace the MRTK-Baltica main engines, for which purpose we should:
Nationalise one MRTK type boat with a comparatively good hull.
Replace its main engine in one from EU shipyards (with the presence of Estonian specialists), or in the Tallinn Fish Yard.
Use the modernised boat for teaching purposes, offering companies that produce electronics and fishing gear to demonstrate their products at work.
The boat should be on an optimal fishing regime for a maximum time, to give a possibility to get acquainted with it to the ship owners and fishermen.
Plan cooperation between that ship and fish scientists, inspectors charged with protecting fish stocks, and naturally the school of navigation.
It is essential to find ways to attract the capital investments that are necessary not only to modernise the fleet but also to improve productivity and quality control in the processing industry. For this, a necessary prior condition is improving cost-price relationships in the sector so that profitability increases. Therefore it is inescapable to review the macroeconomic options described in Chapter 2.
If the plan of direct payments to producers is chosen from among those options, then it will be important to extend the plan to include payments per boat, in addition to the payments per hectare and per cow to farmers, where such payments are scaled to the size of the boat. Also, the capitalisation option described in that chapter, under which a single larger payment is received instead of smaller annual payments, would be especially useful for fishermen, because it would allow them to purchase new equipment.
A plan of this nature is compatible with the proposal mentioned above to “buy back” the fishing rights from some of the fishermen, thereby reducing the sector's capacity somewhat.
The fishing and fish-processing sectors also support the recommendations of agro-industry (Chapter 4) for implementing a modest, relatively uniform tariff system.
It is important to make the better use of the export support facilities provided by the Estonian Ministries of Finance, Economics and Agriculture. The Estonian Fisheries Association should develop a campaign to explain to its members how this may be done.
The sector's medium-term investment requirements have been estimated as the following:
25 stem trawlers, Baltic type, 30 metres in length. Cost EEK 15 – 25 million per trawler.
7 harbours for small boats. (The coastal areas had been closed under Soviet rule and therefore these kinds of harbors were not built.) Cost EEK 800,000 each.
150 – 200 small boats per year. Cost: EEK 100,000 each.
30–40 pound nets and traps per year. Cost: EEK 200,000 each. (All together, Estonia needs about 400 new pound nets.)
2 trawler nets per new trawler. Cost: EEK 60,000 – 70,000 each.
For Lake Peipsi:
Renewal of lake facilities. Cost: EEK 500,000 per year.
Boats with Danish nets, 2 per year. Cost: EEK 500,000 each boat.
Miscellaneous nets and equipment. Cost: EEK 500,000 per year.
2 new fish processing plants. Cost EEK 10 million each.
In addition to the above items, it is estimated that up to EEK 40 million may be required for reconstruction of existing fish processing plants.
The Estonian Ministry of Agriculture is developing and harmonising with the EU relevant regulations the Estonian Food Act related legislation (e.g. EU White Paper). As a part ot that activity the required regulations for fish processing and handling will be elaborated and implemented. The Estonian Fish Processors Association is invited to participate in this work.
A programme should be undertaken to provide additional education and training (seminars, study tours) to the specialists involved in the restructuring of the State's fisheries education system, and to provide additional State's financial support for strengthening the corresponding teaching facilities.
Also, it is necessary to review the Estonian fisheries research programs and corresponding funding of the fisheries science in order to improve the future planning of the fisheries research, and to start immediately with the studies in the field of fisheries management economics in Estonia.
Eesti jõgede ja jävede seisund. Environmental Report, No.7. Helsinki 1993,
Kask,L Eesti NSV jarvede nimestik. Tallinn, 1964. 2221k.
Kangur.K. (editor) 1997. Biota of Lake Peipsi in 1996. Manuscript Võrstjärv Limnological Station.
Mäemets, A. Eesti NSV järved ja nende kaitse. Tallinn, 1977. 263 Ik.
Nõges, P, et al. (editor) 1996. Biota ol Lake Võrtsjärv in 1995. Manuscript-inVõrtsjäv Limnological Station.
Table 9-A1
Estonian Coastal Baltic Catches by Counties in Tons in 1993
| Fish species | Pärnu | Läne | Saare | Hiiu | Harju | Lääne- | Ida- |
| Viru | Viru | ||||||
| Baltic herring | 5806.6 | 869.3 | 2287 | 429 | 258.2 | 12.0 | 145 |
| Baltic sprat | - | - | - | - | 0.1 | - | - |
| Cod | - | - | - | - | - | 0.5 | - |
| Baltic salmon | 3.7 | - | - | - | 0.7 | 0.5 | - |
| Sea trout | 1.3 | 0.2 | - | - | 3.6 | 7.2 | 2.8 |
| Flounder | 2.0 | 13.4 | 58.1 | 25.4 | 25.5 | 3.4 | 0.1 |
| Eel | 2.0 | 0.5 | 5.5 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.1 |
| Lamprey | 1.6 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Powan | 0.2 | 0.2 . | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 4.2 | 1 |
| Smelt | 3.3 | - | - | - | 0.1 | - | |
| Pike perch | 416.3 | 28.9 | 5.2 | 0.01 | 0.03 | 8.1 | |
| Perch | 266.0 | 339.2 | 290.3 | 24.7 | 22.7 | 6.0 | 6.3 |
| Vimba | 112.4 | 3.9 | - | - | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.7 |
| Bream | 4.9 | 0.3 | - | - | 0.1 | 0.03 | 0.6 |
| Ide | 8.8 | 18.9 | 100.5 | 57.8 | 2.9 | - | - |
| Roach | 21.7 | 52.1 | 131.1 | 3.1 | 3.3 | 0.7 | 1.7 |
| Pike | 2.9 | 13.9 | 47.1 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 2.3 | 0.04 |
| Garfish | 4.0 | 34.7 | 0.7 | 0.5 | - | ||
| Burbot | 0.05 | - | - | - | - | - | 0.03 |
| Others | 2.7 | 14.7 | 37.6 | 4.4 | 18.7 | 0.1 | 8.9 |
| Total | 6656.5 | 1359.5 | 2963.5 | 580.5 | 339.1 | 39.2 | 175.3 |
Table 9-A2
Estonian Coastal Baltic Catches by Counties in Tons in 1994
| Fish species | Pärnu | Lään | Saare | Hiiu | Harju | Lääne- | Ida- |
| Viru | Viru | ||||||
| Baltic herring | 5233.9 | 771.1 | 3547.5 | 561.0 | 74.6 | 15.9 | 176.5 |
| Baltic sprat | - | - | -_ | - | - | - | - |
| Cod | 0.002 | - | 4.0 | 1.5 | 0.09 | - | - |
| Baltic salmon | 4.2 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.2 |
| Sea trout | 1.7 | 0.01 | 0.1 | 0.02 | 1.7 | 3.8 | 0.2 |
| Flounder | 5.4 | 31.6 | 64.4 | 38.7 | 10.8 | 4.4 | 0.05 |
| Eel | 2.1 | 0.9 | 4.0 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.01 |
| Lamprey | 3.8 | - | - | - | 0.5 | 0.03 | 2.2 |
| Powan | 0.4 | 0.6 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 6.0 | 0.4 |
| Smelt | 2.3 | 0.01 | 0.14 | - | - | 0.4 | 0.95 |
| Pike perch | 166.6 | 8.7 | 1.8 | 0.1 | 0.05 | 0.06 | 0.2 |
| Perch | 457.2 | 136.9 | 175.5 | 48.6 | 13.6 | 7.9 | 3.9 |
| Vimba | 116.1 | 3.8 | 0.08 | 0.01 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.6 |
| Bream | 5.2 | 0.8 | 0.06 | 0.08 | 0.09 | 0.08 | |
| Ide | 8.5 | 19.2 | 107.4 | 18.4 | 2.8 | - | - |
| Roach | 24.6 | 62.6 | 75.0 | 8.7 | 4.2 | 0.2 | 0.7 |
| Pike | 2.6 | 12.0 | 14.8 | 7.5 | 1.4 | 0.04 | 0.2 |
| Garfish | 0.5 | 7.5 | 72.7 | 41.7 | 0.3 | - | 0.2 |
| Burbot | 0.5 | 0.90 | 0.8 | 0.2 | - | - | - |
| Others | 3.76 | 0.40 | 27.8 | 5.9 | 0.14 | 0.01 | 0.7 |
| Total | 6039.4 | 1057.1 | 4097.9 | 733.5 | 112.4 | 40.1 | 187.1 |
Table 9–12
Estonian Coastal Baltic Catches by Counties in Tons in 1995
| Fish | Pärnu | Lääne | Saare | Hiiu | Harju | Lääne-Viru | Ida-Viru |
| Baltic-herring | 6147.6 | 854.2 | 2613.0 | 518.5 | 41.4 | 11.0 | 254.9 |
| Baltic sprat | - | - | 0.1 | - | - | - | - |
| Cod | - | - | 0.03 | _ | - | - | - |
| Baltic salmon | 2.6 | 0.2 | 0.25 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.03 |
| Sea trout | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.03 | 1.6 | 3.7 | 0.1 |
| Flounder | 5.4 | 17.8 | 10.7 | 19.4 | 18.6 | 2.3 | - |
| Eel | 2.7 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.7 | - |
| Lamprey | 0.3 | - | - | - | - | 0.2 | - |
| Powan | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.02 | 0.7 | 4.2 | 0.04 |
| Smelt | 5.1 | 0.07 | - | - | 0.02 | 0.3 | 0.04 |
| Pike perch | 742.2 | 19.2 | 1.6 | 0.04 | 0.01 | 0.1 | 0.7 |
| Perch | 168.0 | 112.9 | 43.8 | 44.9 | 3.9 | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Vimba | 75.8 | 9.5 | 0.03 | - | 0.7 | 0.3 | 1.7 |
| Bream | 7.1 | 0.6 | 0.1 | - | 0.02 | 0.3 | 0.7 |
| Ide | 10.8 | 30.5 | 43.5 | 12.7 | 0.7 | - | - |
| Roach | 29.4 | 127.3 | 71.3 | 9.0 | 1.6 | 0.1 | 1.2 |
| Pike | 2.3 | 16.4 | 6.2 | 4.3 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Garfish | 0.2 | 9.1 | 93.3 | 89.0 | 1.3 | - | 0.03 |
| Burbot | 0.4 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.002 | - | - |
| Others | 1.8 | 19.4 | 3.8 | 2.5 | 0.1 | 0.03 | 3.13 |
| Total | 6802.2 | 1219.7 | 2889.0 | 701.3 | 71.8 | 29.2 | 267.8 |
Table 9–13
Estonian Coastal Baltic Catches by Counties in Tons in 1996
| Fish. | Pärnu | Lääne | Saare | Hiiu | Harju | Lääne-Viru | Ida-Viru |
| Baltic herring | 7324 | 506 | 3405 | 449 | 222 | 11 | 80 |
| Baltic Sprat | - | 0.7 | - | - | - | - | |
| Cod | 0.003 | - | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.03 | - |
| Baltic salmon | 2.8. | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 2.7 | 0.6 | - |
| Sea trout | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 5.8 | 7.8 | 0.1 |
| Flounder | 10 | 67 | 79 | 35 | 94 | 5.9 | 0.1 |
| Eel | 3.7 | 2 | 11 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 0.7 | - |
| Lamprey | 3.2 | - | 0.01 | - | - | 1.9 | 13.5 |
| Powan | 0.7 | 0.7 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 9.3 | 7 | - |
| Smelt | 2.0 | - | 0.1 | - | 0.7 | 0.8 | - |
| Pike perch | 317 | 13.8 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.3 |
| Perch | 166 | 63 | 72 | 60 | 28 | 5.3 | 1 |
| Vimba | 154 | 4.4 | 0.9 | - | 3.4 | 0.5 | 0.4 |
| Bream | 6.9 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.3 | - | |
| Ide | 8.4 | 4.9 | 57 | 13 | 3.2 | - | _ |
| Roach | 20 | 126 | 131 | 8.2 | 4.3 | 0.4 | 0.4 |
| Pike | 2.2 | 15 | 16 | 4.9 | 3.5 | 0.2 | - |
| Garfish | 4.4 | 3.2 | 365 | 31 | 0.3 | 0.1 | - |
| Burbot | 0.5 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.2 | - | 0.01 | - |
| Others | 2.1 | 13.5 | 7.1 | 3.6 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 1 |
| Total | 8028.5 | 866.6 | 4151.4 | 607.3 | 379.7 | 42.8 | 96.8 |
Table 9-A5
Geographical Distribution of Fish-processing Companies
| No. | County | No. of companies | Bigger companies |
| 1. | Pärnu county | 21 | AS Salmo, AS ETK Päärnu Kalamajand, AS Maseko, AS Alosa, AS Kihnu Kala, AS Japs,AS Pärnu Laht,jt. |
| 2. | Tallinn and Harju county | 19 | Paljassaare Kalatööstuse AS, Maseko-nord, AS Ekton, AS Makrill,AS Astoria,AS Winisto |
| 3. | Ida-Viru county | 12 | OÜ Viru Rand, AS Peipsi Laine |
| 4. | Saare county | 8 | AS Läätsa, AS Muhu Kalatäästus, AS Nas-Fil AS Vätta AS Veere OU Papisaar AS Leedevälia |
| 5. | Hiiu county | 5 | AS Dagpotar, AS Dagöfisk |
| 6. | Lääne t | 4 | AS Hako,Virtsu Kalatehase AS,AS Baltic International |
| 7. | Tartu county | 3 | AS Valestor AS Peipus Fish, AS Poseidon Foods |
| 8. | Rapla county | 2 | AS Aire |
| 9. | Viliandi county | 2 | |
| 10. | Jõpeva county | 2 |
Companies in “italics” have their production in the cities. Those in bold face have more than 100 employees.
Table 9-A6
International Fisheries Memoranda and Agreements
| Memoranda | |
| 1. | Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Canada and the Government of Estonia on Mutual Fisheries Relations (23 September 1992). |
| 2. | Memorandum of Understanding on the Danish Ministry of Fisheries aid program for delivery of fish under the Danish assistance to the reform process in Central and Eastem Europe (21 July 1994). |
| 3. | Letter of Intention: Development of Fisheries in Estonia through Cooperation with Norway (5 May 1994). |
| Agreements | |
| 1. | Agreement between the Government of Estonia and the Government of Denmark (the Home Government of the Faeroe Islands) (1 May 1992). |
| 2. | Agreement on Fisheries Relations between the Republic of Estonia and the European Economic Community (17 June 1996). |
| 3. | Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Estonia and the Government of the Russian Federation on Fisheries (4 May 1994). |
| 4. | Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Estonia and the Government of Russian Federation on cooperation in the conservation and management of fish stocks in Peipsi, Lämmi and Pihkva Lake area (4 May 1994). |
| 5. | Agreement between the Government of Estonia and the Government of the United States of America concerning fisheries off the coasts of the United States (1 June 1992) |
Table 9-A7
International Fisheries Projects
| 1. UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) technical assistance project TCP/RER/2352 “Rationalisation of the Distant-Water Fishing Fleet in Estonia” (1994–1995). Foreign and local experts evaluated the main aspects of the development of the Estonian deep sea fleet and presented the most suitable development scenarios. |
| 2. UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) technical assistance project “Assistance in revising fisheries legislation” (1995 – 1996). Foreign experts reviewed Estonian fisheries legislation and made proposals for harmonising it with the European Union's respective legislation. |
| 3. Swedish Government's technical assistance project BFIMS EST0391 “Baltic Fisheries Information Management System - Estonia”. Through this project an integrated program for collecting and processing fisheries statistics is developed for Estonia. |
| 4. Danish Fish Aid Program carried out in 1994–1995 in accordance with Memorandum of Understanding on the Danish Ministry of Fisheries' aid program for delivery of fish under the Danish assistance to the reform process in Central and Eastern Europe (21 July 1994). This funding was placed in the Estonian Fish Capital Fund and was used for protection of fish stocks and management of restockinp operations |
