Since 2015, mackerel stocks have been showing signs of decline due to Coastal States’ failure to agree a comprehensive, science-driven sharing agreement for the stock. For the past 15 years, the overall catch has exceeded the advised Total Allowable Catch by an average of 40% every year. The numbers don’t add up – or rather add up to too much, again and again and again. The Coastal States simply can’t seem to do the Mackerel Maths.
It’s time to change that. To bring to life this issue, NAPA challenged six schoolchildren, aged between 7 and 11, to understand the effect of taking more fish than you should and the importance of working together to make sure all parties fish fairly.
Although the concept of compromise and sharing is simple, we know the pathway to all Coastal States reaching an agreement is challenging.
What is NAPA calling for?
Ultimately, NAPA – the global voice of the seafood market – wants to see a long-term, six-party sharing agreement for mackerel. An agreement that will lock-in generational sustainability for this species, preventing a catastrophic failure of management and governance from collapsing the stock.
You can read more about mackerel here.
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