Scotland’s pelagic fleet has reacted with anger after scientists called for a 70% cut to the mackerel quota in 2026.
“This is a hammer blow to the industry,” said Ian Gatt, chief executive of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association (SPFA). “The advice is based on bad assumptions and frankly, guesswork.”
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Richard Williamson, Shetland skipper and SPFA chair, echoed that view: “The stock is in better shape than it was two years ago. What ICES is suggesting bears no resemblance to what we see at sea.”
Simon Collins of the Shetland Fishermen’s Association added, “We believe in science when it is rigorous. But this is reckless guesswork.”
Threat to Scottish jobs
The Scottish Pelagic Processors’ Association (SPPA) warned the cut would devastate coastal towns. Chair Robert Duthie said:
“Our sector employs around 2,500 people. A huge cut would also threaten logistics, packaging and port jobs. Premium exports to Asia could collapse.”
Dispute over science
ICES said its new method for assessing young fish entering the stock is the “best available science”. Fishermen refer to it as an arbitrary “worst-case” measure.
Both catchers and processors urged governments to reach a long-term sharing deal on mackerel. Without one, they warn, the fleet and processors face severe decline.