Herring (Clupea harengus) in Subarea 4 and divisions 3.a and 7.d, autumn spawners (North Sea, Skagerrak and Kattegat, eastern English Channel). Replacing advice provided in May 2024

Please note: The present advice replaces the advice given in May 2024 for catches in 2025.

ICES advises that when the MSY approach is applied, catches in 2025 should be no more than 410 707 tonnes for North Sea autumn‑spawning NSAS herring (Subarea 4 and divisions 3.a and 7.d).

Western Baltic spring spawning WBSS herring (subdivisions 20–24 and the eastern part of Subarea 4) is caught in a mixed fishery with NSAS herring, and ICES advises that there should be zero catch of WBSS in 2025. WBSS herring is mixed with NSAS herring in the eastern part of divisions 4.a and 4.b and in Division 3.a. Catches of WBSS herring in the fishery for herring should be avoided for the effective recovery of WBSS herring.