EU advisory councils urge urgent reform of skate and ray TACs, calling for species-specific management and improved scientific data
The North Western Waters Advisory Council (NWWAC) and the North Sea Advisory Council (NSAC) have jointly urged the European Commission to overhaul the way skates and rays are managed across European waters, warning that the current “group TAC” system is outdated, scientifically unsound, and increasingly harmful to both sustainability and the fishing sector.
In a detailed letter to DG MARE Director-General Charlina Vitcheva, the two councils say that existing management structures are “no longer fit for purpose”, arguing that the grouping of multiple species with differing biology and productivity under a single Total Allowable Catch (TAC) is both ecologically and economically damaging.
They also highlight inconsistent boundaries between management areas, mismatched stock definitions, and persistent data deficiencies — particularly for blonde ray — which, they say, make it “impossible to deliver fair or accurate management advice”.
The councils propose a new, more flexible, and science-based approach to ensure species-specific conservation while maintaining viable fisheries.
Summary of the 13 Recommendations
-
Species-Specific TACs Where Feasible
The councils urge the Commission to gradually replace group TACs with species-specific catch limits in areas where sufficient data exist, starting with the most commercially and ecologically significant species. -
Comprehensive Review of Group TACs
Where group TACs must remain, the councils recommend a systematic review to ensure that species included in these groups share similar biological and spatial characteristics to prevent overexploitation of the more vulnerable species. -
Improved Stock Identification and Mapping
They call for better alignment between biological stock areas, ICES assessment zones, and management regions to eliminate inconsistencies that complicate enforcement and data collection. -
Enhanced Data Collection and Monitoring
The advisory bodies want stronger cooperation between scientists, industry, and national authorities to close data gaps, particularly in under-sampled areas such as the Celtic Sea and Irish Sea. -
Targeted Research on Blonde Ray
A specific recommendation is made for increased scientific work on blonde ray, which has seen drastic catch reductions due to uncertainty, to produce more reliable abundance estimates and recovery trends. -
Thornback Ray Assessment and Prohibited List Review
The councils suggest reassessing the status of thornback ray in the Skagerrak, which may no longer justify its inclusion on the prohibited species list, allowing more flexible management. -
Avoidance of New Choke Species
They warn that moving too quickly to species-specific TACs could unintentionally create choke situations, preventing fishers from operating sustainably. Any transition must therefore be gradual and risk-assessed. -
Strengthened Data Sharing and Cooperation With the UK
Given shared stocks, closer coordination with the United Kingdom is vital to harmonise TAC decisions and avoid conflicting rules on either side of the Channel and North Sea. -
Use of New Technology for Species Identification
The councils advocate the use of onboard cameras, AI-assisted identification tools, and digital recording systems to improve accuracy in species-level reporting. -
Stakeholder Involvement in Data Collection
Fishermen should play a direct role in data collection programmes to enhance accuracy, encourage compliance, and ensure that management measures are grounded in practical realities. -
Socio-Economic Impact Assessments
Before introducing new restrictions, the Commission should conduct detailed socio-economic analyses to understand potential effects on small-scale coastal fleets that depend heavily on mixed ray fisheries. -
Regular Performance Reviews
The councils call for an annual review process to monitor how changes to TACs and management structures are performing, allowing adaptive management based on emerging science and industry feedback. -
Promotion of Regional Collaboration
Finally, both councils stress the need for continued regional cooperation through joint working groups, bringing together scientists, managers, and fishermen to co-develop long-term, area-specific management plans for skates and rays.
A Call For Pragmatism And Partnership
The advisory councils conclude that meaningful reform will only come through partnership and pragmatism, not political expediency. They warn that the absence of a coherent management strategy risks undermining both ecological sustainability and the viability of coastal fishing communities that depend on these species.
“The future management of skates and rays must balance conservation objectives with socio-economic realities,” their joint letter states. “Progress will only come through cooperation, transparency, and the intelligent use of science.”
