The EU Commission warns four party mackerel deal risks sustainability, citing excessive TACs undermining science, law and EU fishing industry
Commission Raises Alarm Over Unilateral Mackerel Arrangement
The European Commission has raised serious concerns over a mackerel quota arrangement agreed by the United Kingdom, Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands on 15 December 2025, warning that the deal risks further damaging an already overfished stock and sidelines the European Union entirely.
According to the Commission, the arrangement was reached and signed without any prior consultation with the EU, despite mackerel being a shared stock in the North-East Atlantic and subject to international management obligations. The Commission said the move undermines both sustainability objectives and the legitimate interests of the EU fishing industry.
Scientific Advice Ignored In 2026 Catch Levels
The Commission said the mackerel stock in the North-East Atlantic is already in an unsustainable state following years of overfishing. Scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea recommends a total allowable catch of no more than 174,357 tonnes for 2026.
However, under the four-party arrangement, the agreed TAC is set at 299,010 tonnes, around 72% higher than the level advised by scientists. The Commission said this represents excessive exploitation of the stock and significantly increases the risk of long-term damage.
The Commission warned that such a deviation from scientific advice directly contradicts international commitments to manage shared fish stocks sustainably and exacerbates existing pressure on the mackerel population.
Overall Fishing Pressure Expected To Exceed 400,000 Tonnes
Beyond the four-party agreement, the Commission also highlighted the impact of additional fishing pressure from Russia. In recent years, Russia’s annual mackerel catches have exceeded 100,000 tonnes.
When combined with the catches envisaged under the new arrangement, the Commission expects total fishing pressure on the stock in 2026 to surpass 400,000 tonnes, more than double the level recommended by ICES. The Commission said this scale of exploitation poses a serious risk of irreversible damage to the stock and threatens the livelihoods of those dependent on it across multiple coastal states.
EU Sets Provisional TAC In Line With Law
In contrast, the Commission said the European Union has set a provisional TAC in line with the best available scientific advice, as required under EU law and consistent with the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
The Commission said the four-party arrangement undermines the EU’s efforts to ensure sustainable management of the shared stock and weakens collective attempts to bring fishing levels back within safe biological limits.
Commission To Assess Legal Compliance
The Commission said it will seek further clarification from the UK, Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands and will assess whether the arrangement complies with international law, including obligations under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
The Commission urged all parties involved to reconsider their decision and return to cooperative management of North-East Atlantic mackerel based on scientific advice, warning that continued unilateral action risks long-term harm to the stock and the fishing industry.
