The European Union, Norway and the Faroe Islands reached agreement in Clonakilty, Ireland, on Wednesday 19 October on the 2017 total allowable catch (TAC) and quotas for mackerel. An increase of 13% on the 2016 catches was decided.
This agreement is part of the five-year arrangement for mackerel agreed by the parties for the period from 2014 to 2018 (see EUROPE 11203).
In line with the long-term management strategy adopted in 2015, the parties recommend a total catch limitation for 2017 of 1,020,996 tonnes for the mackerel fishery in the North-East Atlantic (compared with 895,900 tonnes in 2016). The EU quota will be 503,245 tonnes, a 14% rise on this year. The parties also set aside a coastal state and North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) reserve equivalent to 15.6% of the total TAC, to provide for new adherents to the arrangement, such as Iceland and Greenland.
Fisheries Commissioner Karmenu Vella was pleased that the EU was able to obtain an increase in fishing opportunities “thanks to the sound management of the stock since 2014”. The increase will mean over €500 million in revenue for fishermen, which is an additional €50 million compared to 2016. “The mackerel stock is of huge importance for the Union’s coastal communities and in particular for the fishing and processing industry”, Vella said.
A bilateral arrangement was also concluded between the EU and Norway, containing provisions for the mackerel fishery in Norwegian and EU waters in the course of 2017. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)