Mackerel in the Northeast Atlantic (combined Southern, Western, and North Sea spawning components)

ICES  advises  on  the  basis  of  the  Norway,  Faroe Islands,  and  EU  management  plan  that  catches  in  2012  should be between 586 000 tonnes and 639 000 tonnes.   ICES  advises  that  the  existing  measures  to  protect  the  North  Sea  spawning  component  should  remain  in  place.  These  are:

•There should be no fishing for mackerel in Divisions IIIa and IVb,c at any time of the year;

•There should be no fishing for mackerel in Division IVa during the period 15 February–31 July;

•The 30 cm minimum landing size at present in force in Subarea IV should be maintained