The organisation that advises the European Commission on fish quotas has recommended that the mackerel catch in the North East Atlantic be cut by 11 percent next year.
International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) uses extensive data to analyse the state of fish stocks around the world.
The European Commission uses its scientific conclusion as the basis for quota decisions each autumn before the wrangling amongst EU fishing ministers as well as the UK and Norway begins.
Last year ICES advised catching a maximum of 174,000 tonnes of mackerel, but since governments failed to agree a quota the catch for 2026 is expected to reach around 400,000 tonnes.
ICES has now revised up the amount it believes could be caught next year without putting the stock in danger.
At around 350,000 tonnes, it is double what they advised for 2026, but 11 percent less than fishermen have caught during this year.
Environmentalists criticised the amount of mackerel that has been caught in 2016 and are worried about its future.
“One of Europe’s most valuable fisheries has come perilously close to joining a growing list of fish stocks facing collapse after years of political decisions that repeatedly ignored scientific recommendations,” said the NGO, the Blue Marine Foundation.
ICES hopes that this time the politicians will listen to the science.
“The stock has declined by 72 percent since 2016 and is still below the level required by international treaties and UK domestic law,” said Jonny Hughes from Blue Marine.
“Scientists are advising that catches be reduced by 11 percent and all the mackerel fishing countries should commit to doing this. The fact the stock has avoided a further decline is good, but it highlights the uncomfortable reality that governments came dangerously close to repeating the mistakes that have driven other fish stocks into collapse.”