According to leading scientists, catching of mackerel in the north-east Atlantic should be drastically reduced by 70% to avert a potential collapse of fish stock.
The latest guidance from the International Council for Exploration of the Sea (ICES) indicates that the total catch limit for mackerel in 2026 should be set at 174,357 tonnes for the region and its neighboring waters.
This recommendation is a stark contrast to the estimated 755,143 tonnes projected to be caught by the end of 2025. ICES provides insights on maximum sustainable catches to ensure fish populations remain viable.
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Need for Enforcement
Despite the scientists’ recommendations, the annually agreed catch limits between the European Union and the coastal countries—including the UK and Norway—have routinely surpassed these scientific guidelines.
Since 2010, mackerel quotas have been approximately 39% higher on average than those suggested by scientific assessments, contributing to a decline in mackerel stocks across the north-east Atlantic. The ICES warns that overfishing poses severe long-term risks to both the species and the fishing industry as a whole unless countries adhere to the established catch limits.
Conservationists point out that while some management interventions exist, enforcement efforts remain glaringly inadequate.
Scientific Insights
Environmental advocates have also emphasized the absence of a cohesive management strategy among countries to effectively combat overfishing.
Erin Priddle, the director of Northern Europe at the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), stated, “This advice serves as a harsh warning: without immediate intervention, mackerel stocks are critically at risk of collapsing.”
“The scientific evidence is unequivocal, and it’s time for governments to move beyond political stalemates to collaboratively set quotas that align with scientific data for the long-term survival of this crucial species,” she added.
Priddle further noted, “The MSC has advocated for decisive action for years, urging leaders to heed the science before it’s too late for this vital stock.”
Call for Immediate Action
“Sustainable options exist, and some organizations have already made the transition, but to ensure lasting changes, government ministers must act swiftly to safeguard the future of this iconic species and the fisheries and communities that depend on it,” she concluded.
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has also revised its sustainability rating for mackerel, lowering it from green to amber due to significant pressures on the species. Earlier this year, the organization warned that mackerel populations are nearing critical thresholds.
The PA news agency has reached out to the Environment Department for a statement regarding these concerns.
Author Information
Rebecca Speare-Cole is the sustainability reporter for PA.
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