The PelAC has called on the EU Commission to take urgent action following ICES Advice on Northeast Atlantic Mackerel Stock for 2025
The Pelagic Advisory Council (PelAC) has issued an urgent plea to the European Commission, calling for immediate action in response to the alarming state of the Northeast Atlantic mackerel stock.
The call follows a recent advisory from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), which recommended a 22% reduction in mackerel catches, sparking concerns about the sustainability of the stock and its broader implications for the marine ecosystem and fishing industry.
ICES Warns of Declining Mackerel Stocks
The latest ICES advice has intensified concerns surrounding the management of Northeast Atlantic mackerel. The advisory body recommends a significant reduction in catches, following ongoing overexploitation caused by the absence of a comprehensive and sustainable sharing agreement among Coastal States. PelAC has long warned that the failure to reach such an agreement would result in unsustainable pressure on the stock, with potential long-term consequences for both the EU fishing industry and the broader ecosystem, where mackerel play a vital role.
In the letter addressed to Ms. Charlina Vitcheva, Director-General of the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, PelAC emphasised that without immediate intervention, the mackerel stock could fall below safe biomass limits. Such a situation could trigger a scenario where ICES issues zero-catch advice, devastating fishing fleets and threatening the survival of numerous coastal communities dependent on the mackerel industry.
Diplomatic and Regulatory Actions Needed
The PelAC has urged the European Commission to intensify its diplomatic efforts, particularly with Norway, which plays a key role in managing Northeast Atlantic mackerel. Coastal States, including Norway, have continued to set unilateral quotas far above sustainable levels, undermining the stability of the stock. According to PelAC, these inflated, self-declared quotas are being used as bargaining chips in partial agreements, resulting in unsustainable fishing practices that put further strain on the mackerel population.
To combat this, PelAC is advocating for a firm and coordinated diplomatic stance from the European Union, emphasising the need for a fair, balanced agreement that will halt the current trend of excessive quotas and ensure the long-term sustainability of the mackerel stock.
Combatting Illegal and Unsustainable Fishing Practices
In addition to diplomatic efforts, PelAC has expressed its support for the European Commission’s recent proposal to amend Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012, which aims to address illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The amendment includes provisions to restrict market access for countries and operators that engage in unsustainable fishing practices. PelAC believes that by imposing these restrictions and applying customs duties, the EU can create a strong deterrent against unsustainable fishing and incentivise adherence to international agreements.
PelAC has long advocated for stronger measures to address the global problem of IUU fishing, and the amendment to Regulation 1026/2012 represents a critical step in the fight against such practices, which threaten the health of marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of law-abiding fishers.
The Importance of Immediate Action
As the mackerel stock faces an uncertain future, PelAC’s letter calls for decisive action from the European Commission to prevent further degradation of this crucial resource. The council stresses that failure to address the current issues could have catastrophic consequences, not only for the stock but also for the wider marine ecosystem and the fishing industry that depends on it.
The PelAC’s chairman, Esben Sverdrup Jensen, concluded the letter by urging the Commission to act swiftly and to ensure that the management of Northeast Atlantic mackerel is returned to a sustainable footing. The council is hopeful that through a combination of diplomatic efforts and regulatory changes, the ongoing crisis surrounding mackerel stocks can be averted, securing a sustainable future for the industry.