The Pelagic AC recommendations for fishing possibilities for 2023

The Pelagic Advisory Council has published its recommendations for fisheries and TACs for a number of fish stocks in North Atlantic Seas in 2023.

The Pelagic AC recommendations can be read in full in a letter to the EU Commission: https://www.pelagic-ac.org/advice-recommendations/

Blue whiting:
The Pelagic AC recommends following the ICES advice and setting a TAC for 2023 that does not exceed 1 359 629 tonnes.

Atlanto-Scandian herring :
The Pelagic AC recommends following the ICES advice based on an agreed Long-Term Management Strategy and setting the TAC at 511 171 tonnes in 2023.

North Sea horse mackerel:
The Pelagic AC does not issue a new TAC recommendation for this stock.

North Sea autumn spawning herring/3A:
The North Sea autumn spawning herring is a key stock in EU fisheries and secures fishing opportunities for four different fisheries in the North Sea and in 3A. The Pelagic AC recommends following the ICES advice based on the MSY-approach and setting the 2023 TAC at 414 886 tonnes.

Western Baltic spring spawning herring :
Acknowledging the fact that the Western Baltic spring spawning herring stock falls under the competency of the Baltic Sea Advisory Council (BSAC), and recognizing the recommendation issued by the BSAC on this stock in June 2021, the Pelagic AC will not issue a TAC recommendation for this stock.

The PelAC refers to its recommendations on North Sea autumn spawning herring/herring in 3a for additional considerations concerning Western Baltic spring spawning herring.

Northeast Atlantic mackerel:
The Pelagic AC requests immediate action by the Commission to urge Norway and the Faroe Islands to stop the massive overfishing of mackerel in the Northeast Atlantic stock, jeopardizing the sustainable management of the stock.

The PelAC recommends following the ICES MSY-advice and setting the TAC for Northeast Atlantic mackerel in 2023 at 782 066 tonnes.

Atlantic chub mackerel:
The Pelagic AC recommends once again, that the European Commission include Atlantic chub mackerel into its MoU with ICES, more specifically under the recurrent advice work package.

Western horse mackerel:
As a matter of urgency, the PelAC requests the Commission to discuss the Western horse mackerel rebuilding plan, developed by the PelAC in 2020, with the UK in upcoming bilateral negotiations in November.

While recognizing the need to update the evaluation of the rebuilding plan on the recovery time of the ICES evaluated rebuilding plan, given the change in the perception of the stock that resulted from ICES 2023 TAC advice, the PelAC agrees in following the catch option TAC it generates for 2023, considering that relevant Member States and Coastal States put in place measures that limit target catches and reduce bycatch, and the vessels allowed to use quota are effectively monitored through a range of control measures.

Southern horse mackerel:
The Pelagic AC stresses the uncertainty in the Southern horse mackerel assessment due to lack of 2020-2021 survey data, in addition to other data issues encountered at WGHANSA in November 2021. No recommendation on 2023 TAC figure will be issued.

Boarfish:
The Pelagic AC recommends following the ICES advice based on the precautionary approach and to set the TAC in 2023 at 22 791 tonnes.

Herring in ICES area 6a North:
The Pelagic AC recommends following the ICES MSY-advice and setting the TAC in 2023 at 1 212 tonnes.

Herring in ICES area 6a South and 7b,c:
The PelAC recommends following the ICES MSY-advice and setting the TAC in 2023 at 1 892 tonnes.

Celtic Sea herring:
The PelAC recommends following the ICES advice and setting the TAC in 2023 at 0 tonnes.

Additionally, the PelAC recommends continuing the scientific sampling programme, at the appropriate times, in accordance with the ICES recommendation for a 2023 monitoring TAC that will ensure the continued scientific monitoring of the stock – 869 tonnes.

Irish Sea herring:
No TAC recommendation on Irish Sea herring is issued, given the very limited EU share of the stock since Brexit.