Continued impasse on Mackerel

Annual consultations between the Coastal States on the management of the mackerel stock in the North-East Atlantic were held in London on 21-23 October 2014.

The scientific advice from ICES on total allowable catch for 2015 was presented and reflected a strong status of the stock. Scientific research also demonstrates continued massive presence of the stock in Icelandic waters.

Regrettably, however, parties failed to reach an agreement on a comprehensive management of the stock as one coastal state was not in position to agree on a share for Iceland which other parties had consented to.

The Icelandic Fisheries Minister, Sigurdur Ingi Johannsson, remarked: "I find it very unfortunate that the Coastal States are still not able to reach a comprehensive agreement on the management of this important stock. It is also of great concern that the same coastal states, responsible states on managing sustainable fisheries in the North-East Atlantic, seem to fail in agreeing on the management of the shared pelagic stocks in the region. Iceland continues to be committed to cooperate with the other Coastal States in securing sustainable management of all these stocks based on scientific advise".