On 16 December, the UK, Norway, Faroe Islands and Iceland concluded a partial agreement on the sharing of Northeast Atlantic mackerel fishing opportunities, as well as on the level of the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for 2026. This 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. The collective share of the four parties now totals 79.45%, leaving not enough space to accommodate the EU claim based on historical, sustainable track records and legitimate economic interest. The agreement does not only exclude the EU but also Greenland, while doing nothing to prevent overfishing by Russia.

As the four parties agreed that “299,010 tonnes should represent the Total Allowable Catch” for 2026, they deviate from the approach taken by the EU. The TAC and Quota Regulation contains a preliminary catch limit of 156,921 tonnes – 90% of the ICES headline advice for the TAC – for the first six months of 2026.

EU fishers continue to pay the price for years of irresponsible behaviour by other countries, facing a sharp reduction and an unlevel playing field in mackerel fishing opportunities for 2026 and long-term damage to their market position. Therefore, the EU industry calls on the EU and other Coastal States to reconvene without delay and negotiate a fair and equitable comprehensive arrangement between all Coastal States. The EU must make full use of its leverage as the primary market for seafood exports from other Coastal States. Concrete action against the continuous and repeated overfishing is urgently needed, up to and including trade measures. Threats of action are no longer enough.

Tim Heddema, spokesperson for the EU pelagic fishing industry, comments: “This development causes deep concerns and raises many questions. Does this represent a breach of the EU-UK TCA by the UK? How will the EU deal with the differences in catch limits and protect EU fishing rights? In any case, we need a course of action from the EU side and we need it now. It is extremely distressing to note that while the EU is still the chair of the mackerel consultations, it has lately not managed to be involved in actual negotiations. We are in a deep crisis.” 

Press contact:

Tim Heddema, Chair of the EAPO Northern Pelagic Working Group and Vice-President of Europêche: +31625045602; theddema@pelagicfish.eu

EAPO and EP Press Release – Mackerel

At the Annual Meeting of the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission in London (11-14 November), the EU, the UK, Norway, Faroe Islands, Greenland and the Russian Federation gathered to discuss management measures for various stocks, including setting the 2026 Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for mackerel, blue whiting and Atlanto-Scandian herring. But rather than delivering on much-needed stability and sustainability, parties became stuck in their respective trenches. This means still no TACs for mackerel and blue whiting, no tighter rules against transhipment and no certainty about submission of Russian catch data (which is crucial for the provision of robust scientific advice). The inability of NEAFC as a body to promote good cooperation and sound, unbiased decision-making contrasts heavily with recent performance of other Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs), such as NAFO (North Atlantic) and SPRFMO (South Pacific) and IOTC (Indian Ocean). Sadly, it is also a continuation of failed and contentious bilateral, trilateral and multilateral consultations in the Northeast Atlantic, lacking cohesion. This situation calls for urgent evaluation and independent intervention.

It is very concerning to the EU industry that the EU became largely isolated at the NEAFC Annual Meeting. Discussions frequently went against sensible and responsible approaches to management, and catered instead to Russian interests. There really is no good reason why this week did not bring about a blue whiting TAC, which was already pre-conceived at the October Coastal States consultations, or progress on a comprehensive mackerel management package including a TAC, a sharing arrangement and supporting measures such as limiting catches in international waters. The industry requires clarity on the TACs fast, for the sake of its fishing plans for a year in which each part of the fleet will struggle with huge quota cuts.

The EU industry was extremely disheartened to learn that discussions on mackerel are ongoing without active participation of the EU and the current chair of these consultations. As talks are entering a decisive phase, at a critical moment for the mackerel stock, the industry urges all Coastal States to engage constructively and creatively. Parties need to work on rebuilding relationships and to focus on the grand prize, which should be the same for everyone: a healthy mackerel stock that allows each party to capitalise on its fair economic interests and track records and that continues to contribute to food security in many places in the world. This can only be achieved with a comprehensive approach, with the support of all involved. The EU industry calls on the chair of the mackerel consultations to facilitate such a process without delay, and to organise higher political involvement if needed.

The EU industry remains committed to responsible mackerel fishery. The EU is the only Coastal State that has not departed from the most recent quota sharing arrangement. Others have set excessive unilateral quotas, swapped in part of those inflated quotas or entered into partial agreements cementing these illegitimate track records, thereby all contributing to systematic overfishing. Lack of agreement has also perpetuated indeterminate overfishing by Russia.

As a result, the mackerel stock, however resilient it has shown itself to be, has fallen to a critical level. If the scientific advice is not followed in 2026, a zero-catch advice for 2027 could become reality. As the EU industry already pointed out in 2023, ‘hindcast’ research shows that were it not for the overshoot throughout the years, managers would now be able to increase the TAC. Catches in the past 10 years could have been up to 30% higher on average. To counter current irresponsible practices in the absence of a new sharing arrangement, the EU should now apply targeted trade measures based on the revised Regulation 1026/2012[1]. 

Tim Heddema, spokesperson for the EU pelagic fishing industry, comments: “Fisheries management in the Northeast Atlantic is at a crossroads. Do we keep fighting small battles – with sometimes huge consequences – on several different battlegrounds? Will parties stay entrenched in positions that only they feel are justified? Neither fish stocks nor fleets, certainly not the EU’s, have benefited from current practices, which have also been fraught with geopolitical tensions. It seems the time has come to take a fresh look at the entirety of our relations and interests and on how a management body like NEAFC can support our cooperation. As an industry, we are ready to play our part as always. In the meantime, all efforts should be undertaken to set a mackerel TAC for 2026 and reach agreement on a comprehensive management package for this key stock.”

[1] EU Regulation on certain measures for the purpose of the conservation of fish stocks in relation to countries allowing non-sustainable fishing

Contact:

Tim Heddema, Chair of the EAPO Northern Pelagic Working Group and Vice-President of Europêche

+31625045602 / theddema@pelagicfish.eu

EAPO & EP Press Release – NEAFC Annual Meeting

Picture: © Chris Gomersall 2020 vision

Mackerel Coastal States (EU, UK, Norway, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland) reconvene on 16-17 October for consultations on the Total Allowable Catch for 2026 and a sharing arrangement. As stated in its recent position paper on fishing opportunities[1], the EU industry sees no other option than to follow the scientific advice for 2026 (174 357 tonnes, a decrease of 70%), in the interest of the stock and our own future as mackerel fishers. 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.

The industry calls on all Coastal States to do their utmost to secure a comprehensive sharing arrangement that reflects genuine, sustainable historic track records and interests. 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. 

As it is deemed scientifically responsible to fish 174 357 tonnes of mackerel in 2026 (and 576 958 tonnes in 2025), and as the EU is the only one left upholding these limits, it is a slap in the face of EU fishers that some environmental NGO’s are calling on retailers and consumers in the EU to stop selling and buying all mackerel – including EU-caught – and that retailers in some EU Member States are in fact doing just that.

Tim Heddema, spokesperson for the EU pelagic fishing industry, comments: “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. Those Parties will not suddenly change their attitude if Anna 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.

[1] EAPO-NPWG position paper on fishing opportunities 2026

Contact:

Tim Heddema, Chair of the EAPO Northern Pelagic Working Group and Vice-President of Europêche

+31625045602 / theddema@pelagicfish.eu

EP Press Release – Mackerel Final

Management of the mackerel stock has been compromised by the lack of a quota distribution key between the Coastal States involved – the EU, UK, Norway, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Greenland and Russia – since the last of such agreements expired after 2018. The EU industry has consistently urged all Coastal States to reach a comprehensive sharing arrangement that reflects genuine, sustainable track records and interests, while also calling for action against the continuous setting (and fishing) of excessive, artificially increased (by up to 55%) unilateral quotas by parties other than the EU. These inflated claims are based on alleged changing migration patterns and geographic distribution of the stock; scientists dealing with the topic have however stated there is insufficient data for conclusions to be drawn. The EU is now the only party that still exercises caution by adhering to the most recent distribution key.

The mackerel stock has shown great resilience in the face of this onslaught by countries like Norway and the Faroe Islands. Importantly, the ICES advice for 2025 not only put forward a still substantial catch limit of 576 958 tonnes, but also shows that despite years of fishing more than the recommended quota, the stock is not considered overfished. Biomass is still within safe biological limits, as it sits above the levels that should trigger precautionary or emergency measures. Unfortunately, the NGO fish guides fail to consider the actual biological status of the stock. If they did, the appropriate ‘colour’ of their sustainability advice would remain yellow/orange. 

Being fish guides for the EU market, the impact of a red-listed mackerel fishery will be felt by precisely those fishers who are to blame the least for the current stock decline. The EU industry calls on the NGO’s in question to reverse the downgrades. We also call on buyers and retailers to take into account the scientific advice and the different approaches to the fishery between the EU and others. Finally, the industry expects those buyers and retailers that are members of NAPA to keep their commitment in the context of the Fishery Improvement Programme (FIP) for mackerel, which has set a deadline for the Coastal States negotiators to reach agreement before May 2026 – if they don’t, mackerel sourcing will cease.

Tim Heddema, spokesperson for the EU pelagic fishing industry, comments: “The alarm bells have been ringing for mackerel for some time. As an industry, we do believe that solutions can be found before the buyers’ deadline of May 2026. We will try to contribute to that process together with our counterparts from the other Coastal States, while remaining committed to responsible fishing. In the meantime, we strongly urge retailers to maintain a procurement policy based on scientific stock status and not on the arbitrary opinion of a partisan NGO, which seems to have randomly decided that negotiations have dragged on long enough.”

Press contact:

Tim Heddema, Chair of the EAPO Northern Pelagic Working Group and Vice-President of Europêche | +31625045602 | theddema@pelagicfish.eu

EP and EAPO Press Release – Redlisting of Mackerel by Fish Guides

The proposed amendment clarifies the conditions under which non-EU countries may be identified as allowing unsustainable fishing practices on shared fish stocks. Under this revision, the EU will have the authority to impose restrictive measures on offending countries, including the possibility of import bans, in a fair and non-discriminatory manner.

According to Europêche, this proposal comes at a crucial time, as EU fishing interests have increasingly been undermined by aggressive actions from certain non-EU nations. Notably, Norway’s unilateral and unlawful actions, such as excessive mackerel quotas and cod quota grabs, have frustrated the European fishing sector and are at the heart of the problem of overfishing in the North East Atlantic.

Daniel Voces, Managing Director of Europêche, expressed strong support for the proposal, stating: “This is a much-needed response to the long-standing frustrations of the European fishing sector. For years, EU fishers have been subjected to unfair and unsustainable practices by non-EU countries, particularly Norway, which has repeatedly disregarded European fishing rights. The EU needs stronger, clearer tools to enforce responsible fishing practices and protect our industry. We welcome this step taken by the Commission, which gives the EU the ‘teeth’ to stand up for the sustainable management of our shared resources.”

Europêche urges swift approval and implementation of the revised regulation to address ongoing concerns and prevent further damage to fish stocks of common interest.

Press contacts:

Rosalie Tukker, Senior Policy Advisor of Europêche: +32 497 67 03 92 rosalie.tukker@europeche.org

EP Press Release – Unsustainable Fishing non-EU countries

Photo Copyright: © Chris Gomersall 

This spring, the Northeast Atlantic Coastal States again failed to agree on a sharing agreement for the mackerel fishery. Further talks will in any case not be resumed before September. Meanwhile, on 17 June, the UK, Norway and the Faroe Islands signed a trilateral agreement on their quotas and shares in the Total Allowable Catch for 2024, 2025 and 2026. The three have awarded themselves 27.48% (UK for 2024), 27.83% (UK for 2025 and 2026), 31% (Norway) and 13.35% (Faroe Islands). The trilateral agreement is supported by bilateral agreements which result in the UK receiving a total of 33,462 tonnes of quota from Norway and Faroes in exchange for access to UK waters for those countries to fish up to 154,384 tonnes of mackerel. 

The three parties invite the other Coastal States to join the agreement, but the remaining portion is utterly incompatible with historic shares, recent track records and genuine economic interest. Furthermore, it legitimises continuous overfishing by some on the basis of excessive, inflated unilateral quotas that stray far from the shares applicable under the last sharing arrangement. For example, the Norwegian share is almost 38% higher than in 2014-2018. The EU industry therefore dismisses the partial agreement and does not see it as a potential cornerstone for a comprehensive agreement. It also decries the UK’s decision to swap in stolen goods, namely part of the artificially increased Norwegian mackerel quota, for the second year in a row. 

It is now clear that In the absence of an agreement between all Coastal States, the trend of setting excessive, inflated quotas will persist, adversely impacting the fishing opportunities and market position of EU fishers for years to come. The EU industry continues to urge the Commission and the Council to act decisively against this irresponsible behaviour, for example by using its power as the main market for the other Coastal States’ seafood exports. 

Tim Heddema, spokesperson for the EU pelagic fishing industry, comments: “Clearly, this partial agreement will not stop overfishing and will not bring back MSC certification. The parties involved are legitimising unsustainable practices by fixing these shares and transferring quotas from one to the other, quotas that in fact constitute Monopoly money as they should never have been set at such an inflated level. One would hope that the UK teams up with their sustainability-oriented partners in the EU rather than with those who are responsible for recent overfishing and, in light of current world affairs, have a questionable choice of allegiances. The only solution is a comprehensive agreement that is not based on distorted track records. The EU industry strongly urges all parties to continue negotiations and to do so in good faith and with the same focused commitment that was shown towards the recently agreed trilateral and bilateral deals.”  

Press contact:

Tim Heddema, Chair of the EAPO Northern Pelagic Working Group and Vice-President of Europêche | +31625045602 | theddema@pelagicfish.eu

EP and EAPO Press Release – NEA Mackerel Partial Agreements UK-NO-FO

After the intensified but ultimately failed attempts to conclude negotiations on the allocation of Northeast Atlantic mackerel quotas before 31 March, parties decided to suspend talks for the time being and dedicate their time to other stocks. No formal meetings on mackerel are foreseen before the end of September.

Already in April, the EU industry foresaw the risk that some parties would continue to set excessive, unjustified unilateral quotas, which would lead to another year of catches exceeding the Total Allowable Catch that has been set in line with scientific advice. This is exactly what is happening, with Norway and Faroe Islands again having inflated their initial quotas by around 55% compared to levels commensurate with the most recent Coastal States mackerel sharing arrangement.

In order to attempt to catch and justify their unwarranted unilateral quota, the Faroe Islands has been fishing mackerel on the summer feeding grounds in the international zone, when the fish are in poor condition after the spawning migration. Up to 2/3 of the total Faroese (but also Icelandic) mackerel catches are estimated to have been turned into fishmeal and -oil. This was further facilitated by Norway, where much of this fish was landed with permission of the Faroese government between 26 July and 31 August. This is a wasteful practice that will have a long-lasting and damaging effect on the mackerel stock.

Tim Heddema, spokesperson for the EU pelagic fishing industry, says: “The unilaterally set Northeast Atlantic mackerel quotas by Norway and Faroe Islands, at unjustified levels and on the basis of a one-dimensional zonal attachment approach deemed highly flawed by scientists from all Coastal States, remain unacceptable and work against the efforts to pursue an all-inclusive agreement. We repeat our urgent call for an immediate EU response to stop Norway and Faroe Islands continuing their unsustainable and irresponsible behaviour, to prevent further overfishing of a stock that is one of the most important and valuable to the EU. The EU has stuck to the shares agreed in 2014, but right now responsible EU businesses are at risk of being put out of business for doing the right thing.”

The bilateral mackerel agreement for 2023 between the UK and Norway grants Norway access to UK waters to fish up to 60% of their TAC, on the condition that Norway reduces its unilateral TAC and pays in quota for access. Norway agreed to reduce their TAC to 31.95% from 35% and transfer 24,635 tonnes of mackerel to the UK. This deal will have no impact on the overfishing, unless the UK decides not to utilise the additional mackerel they received. Norway printed the currency themselves and then paid with it. Moreover, one could be forgiven for thinking that the UK has decided on a ‘landing zone’ for a permanent Norwegian share that is unrealistic and based on artificially increased track records.

Heddema adds: “For truly sustainable management of Northeast Atlantic mackerel a full-fledged sharing arrangement is needed between as many parties as possible, and respecting real track records. The bilateral UK-Norway agreement cannot replace or be enshrined in such a Coastal States agreement. The parties have all shown themselves capable of reaching bilateral, trilateral and multilateral deals, albeit to differing degrees of satisfaction. With the right atmosphere, this should again be possible when mackerel discussions resume in September and October. The EU industry stands ready to work towards a successful outcome with all those involved. In the meantime, excessive, unjustified unilaterally set mackerel quotas must be stopped.”

Press contact:

Tim Heddema, Chair of the EAPO Northern Pelagic Working Group and Europêche Vice-President | +31625045602 | theddema@pelagicfish.eu

EP and EAPO Press Release – NEA Mackerel

Parties had set themselves a deadline of 31 March 2023 to reach an agreement on the allocation of Northeast Atlantic mackerel quotas. They held three further rounds of consultations during the months of February and March in London and Nuuk (Greenland), but to no avail. Talks are now suspended until the end of September, with the position of Chair moving from the UK to Iceland.

Tim Heddema, spokesperson for the EU pelagic fishing industry, comments: “Unfortunately, in these negotiations there seems to be a distinct lack of constructive diplomacy, with tactics of antagonising predominating over relationship building. While we commend the efforts of the European Commission on behalf of the EU, it is our understanding that other parties did not want to engage in a final push towards a deal, leading to a premature end of the final round in the last week of March. We’ve seen parties act in an almost Trumpian way, overasking significantly while blaming others to be too ambitious. It also appears difficult to exclude the flawed, one-dimensional criterion of zonal attachment, promoted by some Coastal States, from the discussions”.

In the absence of an agreement, the industry in the EU calls on parties who have in recent years set inflated quotas for themselves not to repeat this unsustainable and unacceptable behaviour. It also urges anew the Commission and the Council to act decisively if such a situation occurs, for example by using its power as the main market for the other Coastal States’ seafood exports.

Heddema adds: “The concerns of other stakeholders like processors, retail and sustainable fisheries certifiers are legitimate. They would however do well to recognise the responsible fishing behaviour of the EU and the UK, who have stuck to the shares agreed in 2014 by the main Coastal States. This has been a factor in the resilience of the stock, which in scientific terms has suffered overfishing but is not overfished, meaning biomass is still within safe limits. What we need now is an all-inclusive agreement, between all six Coastal States, respecting real track records, not those artificially and irresponsibly increased. Any more delay will heavily affect the fishing opportunities and market position of EU fishers. The EU industry will continue to fish sustainably and to engage with all involved, to help protect this valuable resource”.

Press contact:

Tim Heddema, Chair of the EAPO Northern Pelagic Working Group and Europêche Board Member: +31625045602 | theddema@pelagicfish.eu

EP and EAPO Press Release – NEA mackerel sharing arrangement consultations

Picture: © Chris Gomersall 2020 vision

Over the past days, first the Faroe Islands and then Norway decided to unilaterally set large excessive quotas for their share in the mackerel fishery in 2022, at 35% and 19.6% of the scientific advice for total catches respectively. They continue to fish at the same irresponsible, unrealistically inflated levels as in the past year, when both countries increased their shares by 55%. The basis for Norway’s decision, the zonal attachment approach[1], was in this case recently judged by scientists from all involved Coastal States as highly flawed, since the data on geographic distribution is incomplete and gives room for multiple interpretations.

These actions fly in the face of the ongoing efforts to reach agreement on a sharing arrangement between all involved Coastal States for the Northeast Atlantic mackerel stock. Although the Coastal States have set the total fishing opportunities for 2022 in line with scientific advice (794,920 tonnes), total catches will  again be much higher due to the fact that most parties are fishing substantially more than would be allowed on the basis of the last agreed shares. At this point only the EU and the UK are sticking with quotas based on the most recent sharing arrangement in place.

Tim Heddema, chair of the EU pelagic fishing industry, organized under the banner of EAPO and Europêche, comments: “This overfishing remains entirely unjustified and at odds with the sensible and sustainable fisheries management that the world supports and demands. It puts unacceptable pressure on a stock that is of great importance for many European fishing nations. While appealing to Norway and Faroe Islands to work in partnership for the benefit of all, we now need a strong voice from the EU, and moreover, we need strong action. The solution is not to sit back and leave it to the EU to compensate for the recklessness of others by fishing less ourselves, which in turn is further disadvantaging the EU industry’s market position. Instead, the EU has plenty of options available to counteract and deter this unacceptable behaviour, such as – but not limited to – using its power as the main market for the other Coastal States’ seafood exports. We are calling on the Commission for immediate action. In addition, with regard to further negotiations on the sharing arrangement, the EU needs to make it 100% clear that it will not accept the current overfishing to count towards an increased fishing track record for those parties concerned.”

[1] ‘Zonal attachment’ of a stock refers to the share of the stock residing within a particular country’s economic zone, if necessary weighted by the time it spends in a country’s zone over a year.

Press contact:

Tim Heddema – +31625045602 / theddema@pelagicfish.eu

EP and EAPO Press Release – 2022 NEA mackerel quotas Norway and Faroe Islands

In May of this year first Norway and then Faroe Islands decided to unilaterally increase their share in the mackerel fishery by 55% each. Now the fleets of Norway and Faroe Islands, but also the fleets of Iceland, Russia and Greenland, are massively targeting mackerel with as many vessels as possible. To a large extent their fisheries also take place in international waters. If this reckless and irresponsible behaviour continues with these coastal states fully utilising es their inflated, unjustified quota shares, the total mackerel catch will be 42% higher than the scientific advice that was agreed in November 2020 by all parties.

Gerard van Balsfoort, chair of the EU pelagic industry, organized under the banner of EAPO and Europêche, comments: “The EU cannot and should not let this form of extreme overfishing continue by these coastal states which is contrary to UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and particularly the 1995 Stradling Stocks Agreement. I find it incredible that at the same time as acting in such an irresponsible manner they portray themselves to be sustainable and responsible nations. There is no way Norway can defend itself for taking almost 300,000 tons or 35% of the scientifically advised total mackerel quota of 852,000 tons and then fish most of it in the international waters outside their 200 miles zone. Norway happily continues to export huge amounts of their seafood, including farmed salmon, to the EU market as if this is business as usual. The EU must immediately start using its power as the world’s largest import market for seafood and take action to stop such reckless and irresponsible behaviour”.

Press contacts:

Gerard van Balsfoort | Phone: +31 651 411 431 | Email: gbalsfoort@pelagicfish.eu

EP and EAPO Press Release – Mackerel Overfishing