The European Commission now strongly criticizes Sweden for lack of protection of porpoises. The tumbler is the Baltic's only whale species and there are only about a hundred left.

Thumbs die in fishing nets

The whales are threatened with extinction because they get caught in fishing nets and die. The EU Commission now demands that Sweden take immediate steps to ensure that the tumors survive.

- We have let it go way too far, says Ida Carlén, tumbler expert at Coalition Clean Baltic, to TT.

Measures within 3 months

Sweden now has three months to either explain how the requirements are met or take measures. Possible measures could be to close certain fishing areas.

Protected area south of Gotland not protected

There are protected areas for porpoises, especially one south of Gotland. But no action has been taken there. Fishing is going on and the reins can get caught in the nets and die. It is possible to scare the thumbs away from the nets with the help of sounding tools. But according to Ida Carlén, it is better to close the area for fishing.

Make the water south of Gotland a nature reserve

Ida Carlén also receives support from the Chairman of the Nature Conservation Association at Gotland, Anncatrin Hjernquist.

- Of course, we must protect the tumors. We protect bird species on Lilla Karlsö, for example, which means that you cannot fish or go fast by boat around the island.

She thinks it should not be a problem to protect the tumors.

- We have nature conservation areas on land and should probably be able to have it in the water as well, for example outside southern Gotland, says Anncatrin Hjernquist.