The EU must actively oppose Norway’s setting of inflated and unilateral mackerel quotas because it impacts the long-term sustainability of this valuable European fish stock and quota. This call comes from the Irish Fish Producers Organisation, who contend that Norway trades some of this inflated quota with other countries, so they can dramatically increase their catch in other parties’ waters.
“Norway set their own mackerel quota well above the scientifically recommended limits needed to preserve stocks,”says IFPO chief executive, Aodh O Donnell.“Then they trade some of this inflated quota with non-EU or Third Countries, like the UK.”