According to the press communiqué of MSC the certificate of North Atlantic mackerel is suspended from 31 March 2012, and will withdraw certification of processed products from 30 June 2012. WWF in its press release states that the failure of negotiations between the EU and Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands and unilateral quota setting in excess of scientific advice threatens the long-term sustainability of the mackerel stock and means much of the commercial mackerel fishery will lose its MSC certification.
Getting MSC label is very difficult but all North-East Atlantic mackerel fisheries are obliged to set up a mechanism for monitoring and managing the combined catch of all the countries concerned, including the non-certified Iceland and Faroe Islands fisheries. Differences started when the mackerel stock has migrated North-Westward into Icelandic waters and Iceland increased mackerel fishing catches.
As a result the total amount of mackerel catches in Iceland exceeded scientific recommendations. The ICES has warned that the total catch should be reduced by 35 percent in 2012 to remain sustainable. The WWF asks all parties to agree on the allocation of international quotas for 2012 so that the overall catch does not exceed the total allowable catch advised by ICES scientists.
