October 2, 2025 — The International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) recommended large cuts to quotas of pelagic species in the Northeast Atlantic on 30 September, and in response, fishing industry representatives in the region have criticized the decision and expressed dismay at its possible impacts moving forward.
ICES recommended that the total allowable catch (TAC) of blue whiting should be no more than 851,344 metric tons (MT) in 2026, which marks a 41 percent decrease from its 2025 recommendations. The council’s recommendation for Northeast Atlantic mackerel was a nearly 70 percent drop compared to 2025 suggestions, dropping to just 174,357 MT.