European fishing industry body Europêche has responded to the news of a deal on north-east Atlantic mackerel being struck between Norway, the UK, the Faroe Islands and Iceland, calling it a ‘huge gamble’ to base their 2026 quotas on a figure that’s approaching double the ICES headline advice.
‘It’s an outcome effectively rewards the unilateral setting of excessive and inflated quotas by non-EU countries in recent years, while disregarding genuine, sustainable track records and the legitimate interests of the EU and its fishers,’ said Europêche vice-president Tim Heddema.
‘The four parties are also taking a huge gamble with the stock by basing themselves on a TAC of 299,010 tonnes. That’s 125,000 tonnes above the ICES headline advice – which is being followed by the EU.’
He commented that the EU fishing sector continues to pay the price for years of irresponsible behaviour by these countries, and are now facing a sharp reduction and a highly distorted playing field in mackerel fishing opportunities for 2026, with long-term damage to the market position of EU fleets.
‘The EU industry is therefore calling on the EU authorities to ensure the continuation of negotiations on a comprehensive arrangement between all Coastal States, and to make full use of the EU’s leverage as the primary market for seafood exports from other Coastal States,’ Tim Heddema said.
‘Concrete action against overfishing is urgently needed and should include trade measures.’
