03 Mar 2026
Photo by Richard Bell Waitrose has become the first UK supermarket to suspend the sourcing and sale of north-east Atlantic mackerel, the Guardian reports, citing scientific advice that current catch levels are insufficient to rebuild the stock to sustainable levels. Fresh, chilled and frozen mackerel will be removed from sale by 29 April 2026, with tinned products […]
24 Feb 2026
Photo by Maxwell Andrews The Orkney Islands Regional Marine Plan has been formally adopted by Scottish Ministers, establishing a statutory framework for managing marine activities out to 12 nautical miles from the coast. The plan, the second of its kind for the Orkney Islands Scottish Marine Region, sets binding policy for a wide range of sectors […]
16 Dec 2025
Photo by Andrew D Environment charities have reacted with frustration after the Scottish government announced that fisheries restrictions in marine protected areas, originally due to be implemented in 2016, are to be delayed for the fourth time. Gillian Martin, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy, announced this week that the consultation on inshore fisheries management measures for […]
09 Dec 2025
Photo by Lawrence Hookham Annual catch negotiations for the UK’s largest cod stock have failed to follow the scientific advice of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, which urgently recommended zero catch to allow for population recovery. The EU, UK and Norway instead agreed a total allowable catch of 14,034 tonnes for 2026. […]
25 Nov 2025
Photo by Ben Wicks The North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission’s annual meeting has ended in deadlock after most members rejected EU proposals to set mackerel and blue whiting quotas in line with scientific advice, raising fears of continued severe overfishing. The meeting, held in London from 11th to 14th November, failed to reach comprehensive […]
11 Nov 2025
Photo by Nick Fewings The UK’s struggling fishing industry is set to receive its first comprehensive national strategic plan, with former Fisheries Minister Daniel Zeichner MP appointed to lead the development of an action plan that stakeholders say is desperately overdue. The All Party Parliamentary Group on Fisheries announced this month it will develop a National […]
07 Oct 2025
Photo by Richard Bell The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) has advised that Northeast Atlantic mackerel catches must be reduced by 77% for 2026, setting a total allowable catch of 174,357 tonnes compared to an estimated 755,143 tonnes in 2025. The recommendation reflects spawning stock biomass falling below all critical reference points, […]
07 Oct 2025
Photo by Brad Lewis Scotland has introduced new fisheries management measures across 20 offshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The Offshore Fishing (Prohibition of Fishing Methods) (Scotland) Order 2025 was laid before the Scottish Parliament on 12 September and is scheduled to come into force on 16 October 2025. The legislation introduces site-specific restrictions on fishing methods […]
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