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Drastic Cuts Proposed to Safeguard Vital Mackerel Stocks
30 Sep, 2025
Summary
- Ices recommends 70% cut in mackerel catch limit for 2026
- Overfishing has depleted mackerel stocks, risking long-term collapse
- Conservationists urge governments to heed scientific advice
According to the latest advice from the International Council for Exploration of the Sea (Ices), the fishing of mackerel in the north-east Atlantic should be cut by more than 70% next year to help prevent the collapse of fish stocks. Ices has recommended a catch limit of 174,357 tonnes be set in 2026, a 70% reduction from the 576,958 tonnes recommended for 2025.
This comes as a 77% reduction on the 755,143 tonnes that Ices estimates will be caught this year. Overfishing has resulted in depleting mackerel stocks in the region, with Ices warning that the species and the wider fishing industry could face long-term risks unless countries adhere to the recommended catch limits.
Conservationists have expressed grave concerns, stating that while some management measures are in place, enforcement remains insufficient. They also highlight the lack of a unified management plan between countries to prevent overfishing. Urgent action is now needed to safeguard the future of this iconic species and the communities that depend on it.
