The International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) recommended large cuts to quotas of pelagic species in the Northeast Atlantic on 30 September, and in response, fishing industry representatives in the region have criticized the decision and expressed dismay at its possible impacts moving forward.
ICES recommended that the total allowable catch (TAC) of blue whiting should be no more than 851,344 metric tons (MT) in 2026, which marks a 41 percent decrease from its 2025 recommendations. The council’s recommendation for Northeast Atlantic mackerel was a nearly 70 percent drop compared to 2025 suggestions, dropping to just 174,357 MT.
"The recommendation of a 70 percent reduction in total allowable mackerel catch in 2026 is presented as ‘the best available science.’ It may be based on science, but its conclusion is a hammer blow to the industry because of bad assumptions and, frankly, guesswork," Scottish Pelagic Fishermen's Association CEO Ian Gatt said in a press release. “ICES advice has been highly variable in the past few years, and we understand that this year, it reflects an arbitrary choice of a recruitment period into the fishery. It is unacceptable that the viability of our industry should be jeopardized by an ICES’ best guess plugged into a computer model. In short, the same science with better assumptions would lead to a much better outcome for our industry.”
Elspeth Macdonald, the CEO of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation, called the advice "over-precautionary" and criticized ICES for "stepping out of their remit of providing scientific advice and stepping into fisheries management," adding that science was only one important factor among many in fishery management.
"Managers must take into consideration all three pillars of sustainability into consideration – the environmental but also the social and socioeconomic implications of management decisions," she said.
The Scottish Pelagic Producer Association said that some of the 2,500 or so jobs in the industry would be at risk if the advice is followed.
"As well as the direct employment, there are many other support jobs dependent upon mackerel, including in logistics, packaging, engineering, and port services. Such a huge cut in quota would potentially have a devastating impact," Chairman Robert Duthie said.
The Norwegian fishing industry was also shocked by the advice.
"We agree with the industry and scientists that the stock has reduced, but this advice doesn't reflect what we have experienced on the ocean," Norwegian Fishermen's Organization Chairman Kåre Heggerbø told Norwegian media outlet Fiskeribladet.
Norway has a 2025 mackerel quota of 165,000 MT, which is only about 10,000 MT less than the total advice for all coastal states in 2026.
A representative of the pelagic fishing industry in the E.U. also expressed concern, but stressed that now more than ever, coastal nations need to agree on a sharing agreement moving forward.
"The advice for the main stocks will have a devastating impact throughout the fisheries value chain and for coastal communities, as there are hardly any silver linings, and even highly diversified fleets are running out of options," Tim Heddema, president of the Pelagic Freezer Association, told SeafoodSource. "We are greatly concerned about the state of the mackerel stock in particular: The mackerel advice shows a stock in very bad shape after years of overfishing by other coastal states. All possible pressure should be put on reaching an agreement between coastal states on sharing arrangements, including through high-level diplomacy, market pressure, and/or select trade measures."
Market pressure has already begun.
Grocery supplier Princes Group UK said that in the wake of the recommendations, it was shifting some of its sourcing away from Northeast Atlantic stocks.
“Princes will now be sourcing Marine Stewardship Council-certified Chilean mackerel, moving away from the controversial Northeast Atlantic pelagic fishery. This transition aligns with their commitment to responsible sourcing and sustainable seafood practices,” the group said in a release. “The new range will be available in Tesco and Sainsbury’s starting October 2025 and will expand to additional retailers in 2026.”
The North Atlantic Pelagic Advocacy Group (NAPA), a market-led coalition comprising over 50 global retailers, foodservice companies, and suppliers, said that the advice was shocking but not surprising.
"As the voice of the marketplace, NAPA has been calling for action to address this issue for five years. In that time, excess catches have totaled over 1 million tons above scientific advice. It has proven inevitable that there would be stark consequences not only for the species but for all who depend on it for their livelihoods," NAPA Independent Chair Aoife Martin said in a press release.
Northeast Atlantic coastal nations will meet on 16 October to attempt to negotiate a sharing agreement and determine the TAC for 2026.
