The European fishing sector, represented by Europêche, is urging decision-makers to finally agree on a comprehensive sharing arrangement for north-east Atlantic mackerel as thre Coastal States reconvene today for two days of consulations on the 2026 TAC and sharing arrangements.
The ICES advice for the mackerel fishery to not exceed 174,357 tonnes in 2026 – compared to this year’s 576,958-tonne recommendation – has sent shockwaves through the industry over the last few weeks and the European fishing sector states that it sees no other option than to follow the scientific advice for a decrease of 70% in the TAC, in the interest of the stock and the future of the mackerel fishery.
‘The EU continues to pay the price for the longstanding overfishing – up to 40% – by other fleets. Action against this irresponsible behaviour is needed without delay, as the most important and valuable EU pelagic fishery is at risk of collapse,’ Europêche states.
‘In the meantime, the industry reminds consumers and retailers that EU mackerel remains responsibly sourced mackerel,’ a Europêche representative commented, adding that as it is seen as scientifically responsible to fish 174,357 tonnes of mackerel in 2026, and as the EU is the only one left upholding these limits, some environmental NGO’s are calling on retailers and consumers in the EU to stop selling and buying mackerel, and retailers in some Member States are doing just that is a slap in the face to the European industry.
‘These actions by NGOs and retailers are extremely disappointing and uncalled for and don’t do justice to the scientific advice. The impact will be felt by precisely those fishers who are to blame the least for the current stock decline, whereas these calls for a boycott are absent in Coastal States responsible for overfishing,’ said EU pelagic industry spokesman Tim Heddema.
‘Those Parties will not suddenly change their attitude if Anne from Amsterdam can no longer find mackerel in her local supermarket. The solution to the problem is an agreement between Coastal States and that is what everyone’s focus must be on. In the meantime, EU mackerel remains a responsible choice for consumers.’
In the event of a failure among the Coastal States to reach agreement, Europêche suggests that the industry would welcome an interim emergency arrangement for 2026.
But under this the current overfishing ‘should not be accepted to count towards an increased fishing track record for those Parties concerned.’
‘An emergency arrangement could be inspired by the allocation key of the previous sharing arrangement, in order to boost the stock’s chances of recovering to a more resilient biomass. Both an emergency arrangement and a definitive one should include provisions to limit catches in international waters and to take those catches fully into account towards utilisation of each Coastal State’s quota,’ Europêche states.
