The Pelagic Advisory Council has written to the EU Commission calling for urgent action regarding 2025 fishing opportunities
In a letter to the European Commission, the Pelagic Advisory Council (PelAC) has issued its recommendations for Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for 2025, highlighting significant concerns about the future sustainability of several pelagic fish stocks.
The council’s advice, delivered to Charlina Vitcheva, Director-General of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, calls for urgent international cooperation to prevent overfishing and ensure sustainable fishing practices across the North-East Atlantic.
Concerns Over Mackerel, Herring, and Blue Whiting Stocks
The PelAC expressed deep concerns regarding Northeast Atlantic mackerel, Atlanto-Scandian herring, and blue whiting, noting that TACs have consistently exceeded scientific advice in recent years due to unilateral quota setting by several Coastal States, including Norway and the Faroe Islands. This practice, according to PelAC, poses a “real and immediate danger” to the sustainability of these stocks.
The council emphasized the importance of reaching comprehensive international agreements that respect historical catch levels and comply with Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) guidelines. “The continuation of excessive unilateral quotas threatens the future of these vital stocks,” the PelAC warned. The council supported the European Commission’s recent legislative proposal to expand its tools for addressing unsustainable fishing practices by non-EU countries.
Call for Action on Northeast Atlantic Mackerel
The PelAC raised alarm over mackerel catches exceeding scientific advice by up to 40% annually since 2010, largely due to unilateral quota setting by Norway and the Faroe Islands. The council noted that this issue was further compounded by a recent agreement between the UK, Norway, and the Faroes, which has allowed inflated quotas despite warnings about stock depletion. “We urgently need Coastal States to adopt a sustainable sharing agreement that respects historic catch levels,” the PelAC stressed, calling for a precautionary Long-Term Management Strategy (LTMS) for mackerel.
PelAC recommended following the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) advice and setting the TAC for Northeast Atlantic mackerel at 576,958 tonnes in 2025.
Sustainable Fisheries Management for Herring Stocks
The council also highlighted concerns regarding herring stocks, particularly Atlanto-Scandian and North Sea autumn spawning herring. The PelAC stressed the need for rapid agreements with Coastal States to prevent stock declines, urging a review of the long-term management plans and the implementation of ecosystem-based fisheries management. For North Sea autumn spawning herring, PelAC recommended a TAC of 412,383 tonnes for 2025, following ICES advice.
However, in some regions, such as the Celtic Sea, the situation is dire. For Celtic Sea herring, the PelAC recommended a zero TAC for 2025, alongside a small monitoring TAC of 869 tonnes for scientific sampling, to track the stock’s condition and inform future decisions.
Blue Whiting and Horse Mackerel: Urgent Need for International Cooperation
For blue whiting, the PelAC once again urged swift action, citing the need for a revised long-term management strategy that factors in ecosystem and climate changes. TACs have consistently exceeded sustainable limits in recent years, putting the stock at risk. The council backed ICES’ advice, recommending a TAC of 1,447,054 tonnes for blue whiting in 2025.
Horse mackerel stocks were also a focal point, with the PelAC recommending dedicated research and improved data collection to address data gaps that hinder effective management. The council supported ICES’ recommended TACs for western and southern horse mackerel at 75,545 tonnes and 59,266 tonnes, respectively, for 2025.
Climate Change and Ecosystem-Based Management
A key theme throughout PelAC’s recommendations was the impact of climate change and human activities such as wind farm developments and gravel extraction on fish stocks. The council emphasized that ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) must be at the core of future strategies, as climate-driven changes continue to affect stock productivity. The PelAC noted that these factors should be considered in the upcoming ICES benchmark for mackerel and other pelagic stocks in 2025.
“The rebuilding, protection, and sustainable use of these stocks must align with the Common Fisheries Policy and wider environmental commitments,” the PelAC stated, stressing the importance of these stocks in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems.
Looking Ahead
The PelAC’s recommendations set the tone for upcoming negotiations on TACs for 2025, urging swift and decisive action to prevent further overfishing. With increasing pressure on key pelagic stocks, the council’s advice underscores the need for international cooperation and a shift towards more sustainable fisheries management practices across the North-East Atlantic.
The council’s call for more robust monitoring, research, and cooperation will be critical as the EU, UK, and other Coastal States prepare for negotiations on 2025 quotas.