The EU fishing industry urgently demands reform, highlighting that the recent 2025 NEAFC Annual Meeting failed to establish quotas for mackerel and blue whiting, which threatens the sector’s outlook.
Representatives say talks in London from November 11 to 14 exposed a “deeply flawed” system and rising geopolitical tensions, with Russia re-emerging as a key negotiator.
Breakdown in Core Decisions
Delegations from the EU, UK, Norway, Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Russia failed to agree on 2026 Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for major pelagic stocks. This deadlock creates uncertainty for the fleets, which already face quota cuts.
Despite some progress in October’s Coastal States talks, key TACs for blue whiting and mackerel remain unresolved, while proposals on transhipment stalled, and uncertainty continues over Russia’s catch data.
The EU industry notes that NEAFC’s cooperation challenges differ from those of regional bodies like NAFO, SPRFMO, and IOTC, which have achieved more stable decision-making.
EU Left Isolated as Political Tensions Rise
According to industry representatives, the EU maintained a distinct position during the discussions, with some of its positions aligning with Russian interests.
Industry representatives saw no obstacle to progress on blue whiting or a broader mackerel plan, including sharing and limiting international catches.
The industry warns that the lack of EU participation in ongoing mackerel talks is especially concerning, urging all Coastal States to engage creatively and constructively to protect the stock at this critical stage.
Warning of Zero-Catch Advice if Overshoot Continues
The EU fishing sector stated that it remains committed to responsible mackerel management and is the only Coastal State maintaining the most recent sharing arrangement.
Other states have set unilateral or partial quota agreements to increase their catch histories.
This behaviour has encouraged systematic overfishing, leaving Russian catches uncontrolled and reducing the stock to a critically low level.
If scientific advice is disregarded again in 2026, the threat of a zero-catch recommendation for 2027 becomes imminent.
Industry “hindcast” analysis shows that, without overshoots, managers can now increase TAC. Over the last decade, catches could have averaged 30% higher.
Calls for measures against unsustainable fishing
The industry is now calling on the EU to actively implement targeted trade measures under Regulation 1026/2012, aiming to discourage countries engaged in unsustainable fishing effectively and to press for urgent multilateral quota agreements.
Tim Heddema, representing the EU pelagic sector, stated the industry faces a pivotal moment where only a new approach—prioritising a 2026 mackerel TAC and a robust management package—can secure the sector’s future.