18 May 2026
Photo by Wim van ‘t Einde The Nederlandse Vissersbond (Dutch Fishermen’s Association) has reported that rising sea temperatures are driving a significant increase in squid abundance across the southern and central North Sea, presenting new commercial opportunities for Dutch fishermen – but also exposing gaps in how the fishery is managed. According to the […]
10 Mar 2026
Photo by Torsten Dederichs The world’s largest krill harvester is at the centre of a growing dispute over its “sustainable” certification, after WWF and the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition formally objected to a proposal to recertify the fishery under the Marine Stewardship Council’s blue tick label — the latest development in a year […]
17 Feb 2026
Photo by Kat The UK government has opened consultations on the final four fisheries management plans (FMPs) required under the 2020 Fisheries Act, completing Defra’s programme to establish management frameworks for England’s key commercial stocks. The four proposed FMPs cover Celtic Sea and Western Channel demersal fisheries, Celtic Sea and Western Channel pelagic stocks, the wrasses complex, and seabream. All […]
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, […]
02 Sep 2025
Photo by Richard Bell A long-running dispute between North East Atlantic coastal states has intensified following record Norwegian mackerel catches that have sparked alarm among conservationists and rival fishing nations. Record week sparks concerns In week 34, 130 Norwegian vessels landed 27,000 tonnes of mackerel in a single week. Industry figures described it as “a pure […]
18 Mar 2025
Brands and retailers have a vital role to play in protecting small pelagic fish stocks, according to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), as demand continues to grow for both human consumption and feed meal markets. Herring, blue whiting and mackerel in the North-East Atlantic have lost or had their MSC certifications suspended following disagreements on […]
18 Apr 2023
An ambitious goal to mobilise US$100 million to safeguard the ocean and sustainable seafood supplies over the next decade has been unveiled by the MSC. The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) announcement, an international non-profit which sets standards for sustainable fishing and supply chain assurance, marks a significant expansion of the MSC’s Ocean Stewardship Fund. Established […]
11 Aug 2020
Eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna was on the verge of collapse less than two decades ago but is now considered to be sufficiently recovered and well managed for a small Japanese company to receive accreditation by the Marine Stewardship Council Click here The assessment process started in 2018 and has been subject to formal objections from […]
