The Norwegian Fishermen’s Association believe the industry faces a more demanding situation due to reduced quotas for 2025. Photo: Norges Sildesalgslag/Krossford-2022
The Norwegian Fishermen’s Association has expressed concern following the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) recommendation to reduce the mackerel quota by 22% for 2025.
The ICES announced its quota advice for pelagic species, including mackerel, on Monday, with the suggested mackerel quota the lowest since 2013.
Kåre Heggebø, head of the Norwegian Fishermen’s Association, acknowledged the challenging situation, saying, “The cards have shown that we face a more demanding quota situation next year, particularly for mackerel.”
He further noted, “It is always difficult to adapt to fluctuations in fish stocks, as we are now seeing with mackerel. However, it is positive that the other pelagic stocks remain stable, and that horse mackerel is once again included in the quota recommendations. There is also hope that mackerel stocks could recover in the future.”
Key Figures and Stock Concerns
ICES has recommended a mackerel quota of 576,958 tonnes for 2025, representing a 22% decrease compared to 2024 and a 40% reduction from the estimated 2024 catch. Leif Nøttestad, a stock manager at the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research (HI), warned of the dwindling mackerel stocks, saying, “The spawning stock is alarmingly close to the precautionary level. To maintain a sustainable stock, fishing pressure must be reduced.”
In 2014, the spawning stock for mackerel was estimated at over 7 million tonnes, but by 2024, it had dropped below 2.8 million tonnes. Nøttestad explained that summer expeditions recorded the smallest distribution and lowest density of mackerel in the past 15 years.
A lack of international agreements and excessive fishing beyond recommended quotas has been a growing concern for mackerel, as well as for Norwegian spring-spawning herring (NVG herring) and blue whiting.
Outlook for Other Species
The situation for Norwegian spring-spawning herring appears more stable. ICES has recommended a catch limit of 401,794 tonnes, a 3% increase compared to the 2024 recommendation, but 10% lower than the estimated catch for 2024. Stock manager Erling Kåre Stenevik explained, “The spawning stock for NVG herring is just below the precautionary level for 2024 and will be slightly lower in 2025. However, the outlook is brighter in the longer term.”
Two strong year classes from 2021 and 2022 are expected to improve the stock’s future, with the 2022 class showing particular promise, although they will not enter the spawning stock by 2025.
For blue whiting, ICES has recommended a quota of 1,447,054 tonnes for 2025, 5% lower than the 2024 advice and 23% lower than the estimated 2024 catch.
Western horse mackerel also saw a revised recommendation. For the first time in two years, ICES has advised a catch limit of 75,545 tonnes for 2025, following a methodological revision and updated reference points. Previous recommendations in 2023 and 2024 had advised zero catches.
Future Considerations
Heggebø and the Norwegian Fishermen’s Association remain hopeful, particularly for mackerel, despite the challenges ahead. They acknowledge the need for continued collaboration and sustainable practices to ensure the recovery of fish stocks. “While the mackerel situation is tough, we hope for an eventual turnaround,” Heggebø concluded.