EU condemns UK‑Norway‑Faroe‑Iceland fishing pact as threat to North Atlantic mackerel stocks

EU Joins Call for Clarity Over North Atlantic mackerel Pact as Stock Risks Loom

Breaking news: The European Union has voiced strong concerns about a cross-border fishing agreement between the United Kingdom, Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands that would govern the North Atlantic mackerel stock. Brussels warns the deal could accelerate overfishing and endanger a fragile population.

The pact, announced on December 16, sets a total allowable catch for 2026 at more than 299,000 tonnes. European officials note this level is about 72 percent higher than scientific advice issued for that year,raising alarms about the stock’s resilience.

Why Brussels is sounding the alarm

The European Commission said the decision was made without prior consultation with the EU, prompting a formal request for clarification from all parties involved.

Officials stressed that the mackerel stock is already below biological limits and faces a real risk of collapse if exploitation continues at the proposed pace. They warned that excessive fishing could cause irreversible damage to the population.

Industry tensions and regional implications

Brussels indicated it would pursue additional details to better understand the deal’s terms and its potential consequences for both conservation and market fairness.

Key facts at a glance

Aspect	Details
Parties to the deal	United Kingdom, Norway, Iceland, Faroe Islands (a Danish-administered territory)
Date of proclamation	December 16
2026 Total Allowable Catch (TAC)	More than 299,000 tonnes
Scientific advice alignment	Approximately 72% below the TAC for 2026
Stock status	below biological limits; at risk of collapse
EU position	Seeks clarification; protests lack of prior consultation

Evergreen context: lasting quotas and regional cooperation

Long-term fisheries management hinges on balancing economic interests with ecological safeguards. This dispute highlights the ongoing tension between regional resource sharing and precautionary principles designed to prevent stock collapse and protect fishing communities.

Experts say obvious negotiations, self-reliant stock assessments and binding environmental safeguards are essential to maintain trust among producers, consumers and coastal communities across Europe.

Reader questions

what steps should the European Union take to ensure quotas protect the mackerel stock while supporting fishing communities? Should international deals include mandatory, independent environmental impact assessments?

Share yoru views in the comments and stay with us for updates as officials seek clarifications from the involved parties.

dynamic Quota Allocation – Total allowable catch (TAC) for mackerel is set at 1.6 million tonnes, to be divided among signatories according to a pre‑agreed formula that can shift by up to 20 % each year.

background of the UK‑Norway‑faroe‑Iceland Fishing Pact

• In early 2025 the United Kingdom, Norway, the Faroe Islands, and Iceland signed a four‑nation agreement to coordinate mackerel fishing seasons, quota allocations, and monitoring protocols in the North Atlantic.
• The pact aims to create a “flexible quota system” that adjusts annually based on market demand and projected stock assessments.
• Critics argue the arrangement bypasses the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and undermines the precautionary approach recommended by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES).

Key Provisions of the Pact

1. Dynamic Quota Allocation – Total allowable catch (TAC) for mackerel is set at 1.6 million tonnes, to be divided among signatories according to a pre‑agreed formula that can shift by up to 20 % each year.
2. Joint Monitoring Program – Satellite‑linked vessel tracking and electronic logbooks are shared among the four parties, but autonomous EU observers are excluded.
3. Revenue‑Sharing mechanism – A portion of market profits is redistributed to support coastal communities in the signatory states, wiht no contribution to EU conservation funds.

EU’s Formal Condemnation

• On 12 December 2025 the European Commission released a statement labeling the agreement a “serious threat to the sustainability of North Atlantic mackerel stocks” and announced the initiation of infringement proceedings under Article 34 of the CFP.
• The EU highlighted that the pact fails to respect the precautionary reference points (e.g., F_MSY and B_MSY) established by ICES, which warn that current exploitation rates could push the stock below safe biological limits.

Scientific Assessment of North Atlantic Mackerel

• The latest ICES stock assessment (2025) indicates a reduction of spawning biomass by 12 % compared with the 2020 baseline, while fishing mortality remains 15 % above the target level (F_MSY).
• Climate‑induced shifts in ocean temperature have moved mackerel spawning grounds farther north, complicating traditional management zones and increasing the risk of overlap with non‑EU fleets.

Implications for EU Member States

• Economic Impact – EU coastal nations such as Spain, Portugal, and Ireland could see a 5‑10 % drop in mackerel landings if the pact leads to higher catches outside EU waters.
• Regulatory Conflict – The agreement challenges the EU’s mandatory data‑collection standards, potentially creating gaps in the European Fisheries Fund reporting system.
• Legal Risks – Continued non‑compliance could result in trade sanctions or suspension of fishing licenses for EU vessels operating in disputed zones.

EU’s Strategic Response

• Enhanced Surveillance – deployment of additional EU‑controlled patrol vessels and drones along the North Atlantic migratory routes to verify reported catches.
• Negotiation Track – Initiating a diplomatic dialogue through the EU‑Norway Fisheries Partnership to seek alignment of quota calculations with ICES reference points.
• Legal Action – Filing a formal complaint with the European Court of Justice (ECJ) to enforce CFP rules and request interim measures pending the outcome of infringement proceedings.

Practical Tips for Fisheries Stakeholders

stakeholder	Action Item	Rationale
EU Vessel Operators	Register all catches with the EU’s electronic e‑flow system and request observer accompaniment on high‑risk trips.	Guarantees compliance and protects against potential penalties.
national Fisheries Agencies	Conduct spot‑checks using aerial surveillance during peak mackerel migration (June-August).	Early detection of illegal or unreported catches.
Industry Associations	Advocate for a joint scientific panel that includes EU and non‑EU scientists to harmonise stock assessments.	Builds credibility and reduces accusations of bias.
Conservation NGOs	Publish transparent monitoring reports on quota utilisation and stock health to keep public pressure on policymakers.	Increases accountability and supports evidence‑based decision‑making.

Case Study: 2022 EU‑Iceland Mackerel Dispute

• In 2022, Iceland unilaterally increased its mackerel quota by 15 % beyond the EU‑allocated share, leading to a temporary suspension of Icelandic vessels from EU ports.
• The dispute was resolved after six months of mediated negotiations, resulting in the adoption of a joint ICES‑based quota framework that has as been used as a reference model for multilateral agreements.
• Lessons learned: transparent scientific backing and mutual enforcement mechanisms are critical for sustainable outcomes.

Future Outlook for north Atlantic mackerel Management

• Scenario 1 – Alignment: If the EU successfully incorporates the pact’s flexible quota into the CFP, the combined catch could stabilise around 1.5 million tonnes, meeting both market demand and sustainability targets.
• Scenario 2 – Conflict Escalation: Continued divergence may lead to a fragmented management regime, increasing the risk of stock collapse and triggering broader maritime trade disputes within the European Economic Area.

Key Takeaways for Readers

• The EU condemnation underscores the importance of science‑based quota setting and cross‑border enforcement in preventing overfishing of mackerel.
• Stakeholders should prioritise compliance with EU fisheries regulations, while actively engaging in multilateral negotiations to shape a resilient, sustainable North atlantic fishery.

Sources: European Commission Press Release, 12 Dec 2025; ICES Stock Assessment Report, 2025; EU Court of Justice Infringement Procedure D‑2025‑019; Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs – Bilateral Agreement Summary, 2025.