Mackerel Stock Negotiations Collapse in Clonakilty, Jeopardizing Europe's Most Valuable Fishery

Negotiations among Coastal States in Clonakilty, County Cork, Ireland, aimed at establishing a sustainable plan for Europe's mackerel stock, have concluded without agreement, leading to stark warnings from the Seafood Ireland Alliance (SIA). The failure to decide on how mackerel catches will be shared from 2026 onwards has placed the future of the continent's most valuable pelagic fishery in severe jeopardy.

Negotiations End in Deadlock

Representatives from the European Union (EU), United Kingdom (UK), Norway, the Faroes, Iceland, and Greenland convened in Clonakilty for two days of critical talks. The objective was to align fishing quotas with scientific advice to prevent overexploitation of the North East Atlantic mackerel stock. However, despite intense discussions, parties remained 'entrenched in their positions,' failing to reach a consensus. The Seafood Ireland Alliance, attending as observers, expressed deep frustration, noting that the EU delegation was 'the only party demonstrating a sense of urgency' in calling for immediate measures to reduce fishing pressure.

Scientific Warnings and Overfishing Concerns

The impasse comes despite dire warnings from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). ICES has consistently advised significant reductions in mackerel catches, recommending a limit of 576,958 tonnes for 2025, a 22 percent reduction from the previous year. Scientific data indicates that the sum of unilateral quotas declared by various nations has, on average, exceeded scientifically advised catches by 40 percent since 2010, pushing the stock towards a 'breaking point.' The SIA specifically criticized Norway, the UK, and the Faroes for their role in the deadlock, accusing them of being 'in denial on the state of the stock' and contributing to the problem through inflated unilateral quotas.

Industry Fears and Economic Impact

The failure to secure an agreement has profound implications for the fishing industry, particularly in Ireland. Patrick Murphy, chair of the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation (ISWFPO), emphasized the urgency, stating, 'We need an immediate, unified and responsible approach by all parties if the stock is to recover.' Dominic Rihan of the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation (KFO) highlighted concerns over unmonitored Russian fishing efforts, describing the scale of their activity as 'deeply worrying' and exceeding sustainable levels. The Irish fleet faces potential 'bankruptcy next year' without adequate support and a resolution to the ongoing overfishing crisis. The Seafood Ireland Alliance, which includes the Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFPO), has consistently advocated for fairer quotas and workable solutions to protect coastal communities.

Outlook for Future Negotiations

With the Clonakilty talks concluding without a resolution, further negotiations are anticipated to resume in October. The industry hopes that the stark scientific figures and the increasing pressure on mackerel stocks will act as a catalyst for meaningful action in subsequent discussions. The continued lack of a comprehensive sharing arrangement among all Coastal States remains a critical challenge for the sustainable management of this vital marine resource.