Fish producers are calling for the European Commission to take action against Norway for overfishing mackerel in Irish waters, leading to a 22% cut in the EU mackerel quota. This cut is a significant blow to Ireland’s fishing fleet, which could lose over €10 million in 2025 as a result.
The Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFPO) has highlighted Norway’s unilateral quotas and overfishing practices as the main culprits behind the mackerel stock pressure. The IFPO is urging the European Commission to ban Norway and other non-EU states from fishing in Irish waters without a fair exchange in fish quotas.
The Pelagic Advisory Council has also called on the European Commission to act promptly to prevent long-term damage to the EU fishing industry. The lack of a sustainable sharing arrangement among Coastal States has put undue pressure on the mackerel stock, jeopardizing its future.
This issue comes amidst ongoing negotiations on fishing agreements between the EU and Norway, with Irish fish producers demanding a fairer distribution of quotas to ensure parity for Ireland’s fishing industry.