Experts are sounding the alarm about the critical decline in mackerel stocks in the North East Atlantic due to persistent overfishing. According to the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), over the past four years, the level of mackerel catch has exceeded scientific recommendations by an average of 23%, The Guardian reports. In particular, countries such as the UK, Norway, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands set total allowable catches that exceeded scientific advice by an average of 39% between 2020 and 2024.
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In this regard, MCS has downgraded mackerel in its annual Good Fish Guide. Mackerel caught with trawl nets in the middle layers of water received a rating of 4, which means that businesses are advised not to sell it, while mackerel caught with a fishing rod received a rating of 3. Alice Moore, Good Fish Guide manager, said: ‘We are seeing a steady decline in numbers and they are approaching a critical point. Immediate action must be taken by the UK government to work with other nations to align catch limits with scientific advice.’
MCS recommends that consumers choose more sustainable alternatives, such as herring from the North Sea and sardines from Cornwall. In addition, the organisation is calling on governments to work together immediately to set catch limits that are consistent with scientific advice to prevent further depletion of mackerel stocks.
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