At their meeting in Bergen, Norway, on 29 November, the European Union, Norway and the Faroe Islands agreed on a 20% reduction in the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of mackerel (see EUROPE 11652) in 2019.
The total TAC for mackerel in the north-east Atlantic will therefore be 653,438 tonnes next year, while scientific advice recommended a decrease of more than 40% in catches compared to 2018. The EU holds about 50% of the total TAC.
The three coastal States have also agreed to extend the current tripartite agreement by two years (and an additional year, if necessary). Other coastal States (Iceland, Greenland) have not been able to accede to the agreement at this stage.
At the EU's request, coastal states have decided to gradually reduce mackerel catches by 2020 in order to comply with the scientific advice of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES).
Coastal States will hold further consultations in early 2019 to decide on further adjustments, if necessary. The Parties may fish their quotas in their respective zones of fishing jurisdiction and in international waters. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)