A recent international survey shows that the populations of mackerel biomass have declined by 42 per cent, raising concerns over the species and its fishing quotas. Coastal states comprising the global community recently met to address issues concerning the management of three major fish stocks. In addition, herring dropped by 24 per cent, while blue whiting remained stable, reports Fishing News.
These findings and other data are likely to be part of the Total Allowable Catch recommendations of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, to be published later this year. The report comes when long-running disputes between countries on fishing quotas persist. Most of the Nordic countries increased their domestic quota share more than what is recommended by ICES, and the total fishing quota is 140% higher than that advised by ICES.
This overfishing has further led to a loss of the key sustainability certification, warnings issued by environmental groups over stock depletion and the risk of an international boycott by seafood processors under the North Atlantic Pelagic Advocacy Group (NAPA).
He said Norway and other Nordic countries were “over-fishing mackerel into the sea and killing it.” “The sustainability of mackerel is being threatened by these excess practices.
The UK, which had previously opposed the actions of the Nordic states, struck a deal with Norway a year ago, allowing Norway greater access to UK waters in exchange for increased fishing quotas. This agreement was expanded in June to include the Faroe Islands and will remain in place until 2027. The European Union has responded to the ongoing issue by urging tougher sanctions against countries that fish unsustainably.
The five-week survey of Icelandic, Norwegian, Danish, and Faroese research teams was conducted through waters totalling over 14,000 nautical miles. Scientists used the measurement of sonar and fishing gear to measure the size of fish populations; their results found a biomass of around 2.5 million tonnes of mackerel. The survey further noted that, as in previous years, mackerel were absent from eastern Icelandic waters, where they had been previously common.
The data gathered from this survey will be used in the final stock assessments that combine commercial fishing data and other scientific research. These outcomes are expected to guide future recommendations on fishing limits, after years of overfishing in the North Atlantic.
This feeling, which was voiced by Rob Blyth-Skyrm of NAPA, who attended the recent coastal states meeting, reflects a continued year-on-year decline in mackerel. “We look forward to the full stock assessments and ICES advice with great interest,” he said.
Though fishing quotas remain contentious between countries involved, environmental and other lobby groups are demanding greater measures be undertaken by North Atlantic’s fisheries to protect fish stocks for long-term sustainable fishing.
To read more about Biomass Industry News, continue reading BioEnergyTimes.com
