European Union, Norway and the United Kingdom - fisheries consultations: agreed records 2025

17 Herring

17.1 The Delegations noted that according to the ICES MSY approach catches of North Sea autumn-spawning (NSAS) herring in 2025 in the North Sea, Skagerrak and Kattegat, and eastern English Channel should be no more than 410,707 tonnes. This represents a decrease of 22.8% in the advice compared to 2024.

17.2 The Delegations agreed to establish a TAC for 2025 for the A fleet of 388,542 tonnes. This is a decrease of 23.9% compared to 2024.

17.3 They also agreed that bycatches of herring in other fisheries (the B fleet) should be limited to 7,716 tonnes in 2025.

17.4 The Delegations also noted that the TACs for the C and D fleets in Skagerrak are to be set out in the EU-Norway bilateral agreement on the regulation of fisheries in the Skagerrak and Kattegat for 2025. The Delegations further noted that that agreement set out the TACs for the C and D fleets, which respectively should not exceed 22,793 tonnes and 6,659 tonnes.

17.5 The Delegations noted that ICES has advised a zero catch of Western Baltic spring-spawning (WBSS) herring since 2019. They also noted the decision by the EU to establish a TAC for 2025 of 788 tonnes for WBSS herring in Subareas 22-24 exclusively used for bycatch in the Baltic Sea.

17.6 The EU and UK Delegations informed the Norwegian delegation of their bilateral arrangement for 2025 on the subject of inter-area quota flexibility, as set out in the Written Record of fisheries consultations between the UK and the EU for 2025.

17.7 The Delegations recalled that the North Sea herring Working Group delivered an extensive report in 2022. The report left the discussion of new management models for exploitation of NSAS herring to the managers. In 2023, this was discussed by the Delegations with the aim of a sustainable and simplified management model. They agreed that the management of NSAS herring should be based on a single TAC but acknowledged the need for further work to succeed.

17.8 The Delegations acknowledged the joint request to ICES on the evaluation of a new harvest control rule for NSAS herring (Annex VII), and noted that ICES is likely to submit its response by 1 May 2025.

17.9 The EU Delegation also recalled its separate request to ICES for advice on additional elements of a long-term management plan for NSAS herring, including WBSS herring.

17.10 The Delegations agreed to meet early in 2025 to start the discussions on a new management model for NSAS herring. These consultations should also incorporate the development of a new long-term management plan when the response from ICES is available. The aim should be to have a new regime, based on a single TAC, in place for 2026 and onwards.

17.11 The EU Delegation noted the need to prioritise within the tasks of a future MCS WG cooperation on control of NSAS herring bycatches in other fisheries with a view to share and recommend best practice on weighing and catch registration.