The measures adopted by the Northeast Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) to address unsustainable Russian mackerel fishing have officially entered into force. Proposed by the European Union, these measures aim to protect mackerel stocks, which are under severe conservation pressure due to years of overfishing. NEAFC is the regional organization responsible for the long-term conservation and optimal utilization of fishery resources in the region.
In 2026, Russia unilaterally increased its quota to 67,548 tonnes, representing 22.5% of the Total Allowable Catch, nearly five times the 2004 quota. In response to this situation, NEAFC established a limit for Russian mackerel catches in international waters of 1,495 tonnes. Despite Russia's objection, the measure prohibits other members from facilitating unsustainable mackerel fishing that exceeds this limit, including the prohibition of transshipments and refueling services to Russian vessels.
The European Union, the United Kingdom, and Iceland are enforcing these restrictions within their respective national jurisdictions. Vessels carrying quantities of Russian mackerel above the agreed limits are prohibited from entering their ports. The European Union began applying these measures since July 3, 2026, resulting in denials of port entry for vessels with excess Russian catches.
The European Commission emphasizes that additional steps are needed to ensure mackerel stock recovery, appealing to NEAFC partners to extend restrictions to national waters throughout the region, prohibit at-sea transshipments, and establish comprehensive stock sharing with a long-term coordinated management framework.
