The Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association (SPFA) has welcomed the outcome of the recent three Coastal States negotiations that have agreed the total allowable catches (TACs) for 2027 for North-East Atlantic mackerel, Atlanto-Scandian herring and blue whiting, which are in accordance with the advice set by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES).
ICES has advised TAC increases for all three stocks for 2027 – with mackerel up 102% compared to the 2026 advice, Atlanto-Scandian herring 10%, and blue whiting by 25%.
Ian Gatt, chief executive of the SPFA, said: “We are delighted that the Coastal States have signed the TAC agreements for all three fisheries in line with the ICES advice, which is great progress compared to the same period last year.
“We are also pleased that the science has recognised that there has been improvements in the stocks for all three species, which bodes well for the future.
“There is still the major issue of resolving quota shares for mackerel, and this will be discussed by the relevant parties in early December. There does, however, seem to be a more positive atmosphere and a clear willingness among Coastal States to reach an agreement.”
This was illustrated by the third meeting of the newly formed North East Atlantic Pelagic Industry Group, which took place on the fringes of last week’s mackerel Coastal States meeting in London. The Group comprises pelagic fisheries representatives from the EU, Faroe islands, Iceland, Norway and the UK.
Ian Gatt said: “The Group had a constructive meeting where we discussed a range of potential actions to take forward collectively to aid the management for all three pelagic stocks. Before this meeting, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) gave a presentation on the MSC Improvement Programme, and we were delighted that the organisation’s CEO, Rupert Howes, took time from his busy schedule to participate in this.”