On Monday 30 March, the EU Council adopted a regulation without debate providing for a 48% reduction in the total allowable catch (TAC) for mackerel in 2026 in the North-East Atlantic.
Last December, the EU Member States followed the scientific advice, which recommended a 70% reduction in catches by 2026 (see EUROPE B13821A36).
In the absence of an agreement with third countries on a more drastic reduction in fishing effort, the Member States have aligned themselves on this alternative...