The PelAC has again called on the Director-General of DG MARE for a benchmark for the Irish Sea and the Celtic Sea herring
The Pelagic Advisory Council (PelAC) has issued a renewed call for urgent action regarding the Irish Sea and Celtic Sea herring stocks, following a significant revision of scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES).
In a formal request addressed to the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the PelAC has highlighted pressing concerns about the sustainability of the herring populations in these regions.
Urgent Need for a Benchmark Assessment
For several years, PelAC has been advocating for a benchmark assessment of herring stocks in the Irish and Celtic Seas. Despite these repeated calls, no benchmark has been conducted, an omission that now appears critical in light of the latest scientific advice. The council emphasises that the benchmark is necessary to address a number of discrepancies that have come to light, particularly regarding stock assessments and management decisions.
In June 2024, ICES reissued its 2024 advice for Irish Sea herring (her.27.nirs), following the discovery of a significant error in the model used to assess the stock at the Herring Assessment Working Group (HAWG) meeting earlier in the year. The error had led to an inaccurate estimation of the herring stock size, and as a result, the revised advice noted a 34% reduction in the recommended catch for 2024. Additionally, ICES has delayed the release of the 2025 catch advice until the end of October, leaving fisheries in a state of uncertainty.
Cross-Stock Contamination Compounds the Issue
One of the central issues identified in the reissued advice is the confounding presence of herring from adjacent stocks, particularly those from the Celtic Sea, in Irish Sea catch and survey data. This overlap has long been acknowledged but was thought to only affect younger herring. However, recent genetic analyses have shown that herring from neighbouring populations, including the Celtic Sea, are more prevalent than previously assumed, and their presence spans all size classes of fish in the Irish Sea, including mature individuals.
This presents a dual problem: the Irish Sea herring stock is being overestimated, while the Celtic Sea stock, currently subject to a zero Total Allowable Catch (TAC), is suffering from unaccounted mortality due to its incidental catch in the Irish Sea fishery. The consequence is a likely inflation of Irish Sea stock numbers and a lack of recovery for the Celtic Sea population, leading to ineffective management decisions for both areas.
Call for Immediate ICES Action
In the letter addressed to Ms. Charlina Vitcheva, Director-General of the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, PelAC stresses the urgent need for ICES to implement its own recommendations regarding the Irish and Celtic Sea herring stocks. PelAC is calling for a combined benchmark assessment for both stocks, which would allow for more accurate management of catch levels and stock recovery. The council also asks that ICES develop catch options that reflect varying degrees of Celtic Sea herring mixing into the Irish Sea, ensuring that both stocks are managed sustainably.
Moreover, PelAC urges ICES to conduct a retrospective analysis of the past seven years of Irish Sea herring assessments, during which overestimated stock numbers have likely led to inflated catch advice. The council stresses that transparency and accuracy are paramount in informing the management decisions that affect both fisheries and the ecosystems they rely on.
Conclusion
The Pelagic Advisory Council’s latest request underscores the importance of accurate and up-to-date stock assessments for sustainable fisheries management. As the 2025 fishing season approaches, the outcome of this request could have significant implications for the future of herring stocks in both the Irish and Celtic Seas, and the long-term sustainability of these vital fisheries.
PelAC now awaits a response from the European Commission and hopes that a benchmark assessment will be carried out promptly to safeguard the future of the herring populations in these regions.