Mackerel: EU, Norway and the Faroe Islands reach agreement on mackerel fishery in the North East Atlantic

Meeting in Bergen (Norway) on 29 November, the three most important Coastal States have agreed to set the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for 2019 at 653,438 tonnes. This represents a 20% reduction compared to 2018. It was also agreed to extend the current trilateral sharing arrangement for another two years, possibly three, if required. Other Coastal States were not able to join the agreement at this stage.

The catch limits are based on the long-term management strategy jointly agreed by the Coastal States in 2017. At the EU's request, Coastal States also agreed to further reduce the catches in a progressive manner, by 2020, in order to be fully in line with the independent scientific advice received from the International Council for Exploration of the Sea (ICES). The Coastal States have committed to holding further consultations in early 2019 in order to decide on further adjustments, if needed. The parties may fish their quotas in their respective zones of fisheries jurisdiction and in international waters.