Outcome of Coastal states consultation on mackerel, blue whiting and Atlanto-Scandian herring

Coastal States consultations have now concluded with agreement on 2022 catch limits for shared pelagic stocks.

The agreed records which were signed on 26 and 27 October 2021 set out Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and management measures for mackerel, blue whiting and Atlanto-Scandian herring, three stocks of key importance to the Scottish fishing fleet.

Together, the Coastal State pelagic stocks are estimated to be worth ~ £186 million to Scotland in 2022. For all three stocks, the TACs were set in line with advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), resulting in the following decreases compared with the catch limits set for 2021:

• Mackerel -6.73%
• Blue whiting -19.00%
• Atlanto-Scandian herring -8.06%

Blue Whiting

The Agreed Records also underline the importance of continuing discussions as soon as possible in 2022 to agree new comprehensive sharing arrangements for these stocks. Given the importance of these stocks, it is imperative that everything is done to ensure appropriate management. Establishing comprehensive sharing arrangements for all three Coastal State stocks is a top priority for Scotland, and officials will put full energy behind these talks to ensure the long term sustainability for the benefit of Scotland’s fishers into the future.

Negotiations will continue over the coming weeks with trilateral and bilateral negotiations and Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (RFMO) meetings aiming to agree further fishing opportunities and management measures for 2022.

The Coastal States and Fishing Parties in the North East Atlantic are the UK, EU, Norway, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Russia.

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