A new report by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) reviewing the methods used in the 2018 Northeast Atlantic mackerel stock assessment is stirring up controversy, with some groups calling for a turnaround in the scientists’ advice and for re-certification of the fishery to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard.
The report -- based on a series of meetings culminated in March 2019 -- is clear in that it does not change the 318,403-metric ton catch advice given for this season, which was 42 percent lower than the catch advice given for 2018, and a 68 percent reduction on the quota for 2018.
