US Edition
EU ups mackerel quotas to match UK despite overfishing concerns
EU agriculture ministers raised quotas to match Britain and Norway after talks failed, setting a 48% reduction target amid a sharp decline in mackerel biomass, officials said.
- On Monday, the European Union increased mackerel quotas in the North Atlantic to match those set by Britain, Norway, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands, reversing its previous environmental stance.
- In December, European Union countries agreed to a 70 percent reduction in catches, following scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea to prevent overfishing.
- Biomass of spawning-age mackerel in the Northeast Atlantic has plummeted from nearly 13 million tons in 2014 to less than 3 million tons in 2025, a decline scientists say threatens the species.
- The European Commission stated, "The EU has been the only party consistently raising concerns about the need to respect the scientific advice provided by ICES and to limit the overfishing by Russia."
- Agriculture ministers from the European Union's 27 nations meeting in Brussels decided on a new, lower reduction target compared to 2025 levels after failed talks with neighbouring countries.
26 Articles
26 Articles
On Monday, 30 March, the EU is revising its 2026 catch in the North Atlantic against the advice of scientists who are warning about the risks to the species. The United Kingdom, Norway and Iceland, fond of these fish going north due to warming, have exerted intense pressure.
The EU, which had forecast a 70% reduction in mackerel catches in December, finally decided to keep to a 48% decrease, aligning itself with the United Kingdom, Norway, the Faroe Islands and Iceland. France did not oppose this revision.
The European Union today increased the quota for mackerel that can be caught in the North Atlantic, disregarding scientific advice, to match quotas set by Britain, Norway, Iceland and other nations in the region. Scientists say overfishing is an existential threat to the mackerel stock in the Northeast Atlantic, which has shrunk to a critical level where its reproduction is no longer guaranteed. The Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs...
EU Raises Mackerel Quotas Despite Scientific Overfishing Warnings - The Fishing Daily - Irish, UK and European Fishing Industry News
EU raises mackerel quotas despite scientific overfishing warnings, aligning with UK Norway Iceland and Faroe Islands quota decisions Policy Reversal Aligns EU With Coastal States Quotas European Union ministers have agreed to increase allowable mackerel catches in the North Atlantic, reversing an earlier commitment to follow scientific advice and instead aligning with quotas set by th…
On Monday 30 March, the European Union increased its quotas for mackerel for 2026 in the North Atlantic, deviating from the scientific recommendations. European countries opted for a 48% reduction in catches instead of the 70% initially planned.
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