Press release
Main points
• Support for the TACs advised by ICES for mackerel (+102.42%, 352 938 tonnes), blue whiting (+25%, 1 064 191 tonnes), Atlanto-Scandian herring (+10%, 585 015 tonnes),North Sea herring (+21%, 396 680 tonnes), western horse mackerel (+6.7%, 79 223 tonnes), greater silversmelt (+24%, 22 865 tonnes) and boarfish (+13%, 33 543 tonnes).
• For North Sea horse mackerel (zero-catch advice), follow the advice, while also establishing a bycatch quota and ensuring improved data collection.
• Every effort should be made to reach agreement on comprehensive sharing arrangements for mackerel, blue whiting and Atlanto-Scandian herring, based on genuine historic track records and interest.
• Targeted EU market actions against excessive, unjustified unilateral quotas are critical, as well as the limitation of mackerel summer fishery in international waters and to ensure these are properly monitored and reported.
• Exponentially increasing Russian overfishing is putting additional strain on a cautiously recovering mackerel stock. Coastal States need to put in place measures to prevent transhipping of mackerel.
• For Atlanto-Scandian herring, full access for the EU to Norwegian waters should be immediately restored, or the EU share should be adapted for the payment for said access in 2007 (25% of the EU share).
General
After a dark year of decreasing pelagic fishing opportunities across the board, the ICES advice for 2027 provides a more positive outlook. Whereas increased TACs, notably for mackerel among other stocks, are offering hope for the near future, this is no time to be complacent. To help deliver on the positive outlook for several stocks for the next few years, it is crucial to put strong efforts into improving and/or expanding stock surveys (also managing ever increasing catches in international waters), data collection and assessment methodologies. In addition to the positions taken below, the industry supports the recommendations by the Pelagic Advisory Council (PelAC) for these stocks.
Please find here the total EAPO NPWG position paper: 2026_10_02_EAPO_NPWG position paper fishing opportunities 2027
Date Posted: 2nd October 2026