Norway, the United Kingdom, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands have reached an agreement on mackerel quotas, with a total of nearly 300,000 tons, a reduction of over 40%.

However, this latest quota is still significantly higher than the quota recommended by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). At the end of October, ICES released its recommendations for the 2026 catch quota, significantly reducing it by 70% from the 2025 level of 576,958 tons, to just 174,357 tons, marking a historic low. The mackerel quota agreement reached by the four countries clearly goes against the stance of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, which emphasizes that fishing must be managed based on scientific recommendations, as some species (such as mackerel and blue cod) have shown signs of overfishing. In the latest four-party agreement, the distribution of quotas among the countries has also been adjusted. Norwegian fishing vessels continue to have a relatively large quota in the UK's exclusive economic zone, while Iceland and the Faroe Islands can still share a portion of the quotas in Norwegian waters. This agreement will last until 2028. Norwegian Fisheries Minister Marianne Naess said, "I am very pleased that we have reached a new long-term agreement to manage and distribute mackerel resources. This agreement will help limit mackerel catches, thereby reducing fishing pressure over time. It is particularly gratifying that Iceland has now joined the mackerel agreement, as Iceland is an important fishing partner for Norway." For 2026, the Norwegian mackerel quota is set at 78,939 tons. Naess stated that Norway still has the possibility of reaching a supplementary agreement with the EU and Greenland, and consultations will continue at the beginning of 2026. Moreover, the Scottish government also expressed support for the new agreement. Scottish Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said, "This quadrilateral agreement between the UK, Norway, the Faroe Islands, and Iceland includes a package of more effective measures to manage mackerel in the Northeast Atlantic, alleviating pressure risks and providing much-needed stability for important fishing industries and coastal communities." Gougeon stated that protecting the fishing industry is also a key priority for the government, which is why the government did not adopt the scientists' recommendation for a 70% reduction. "This result strikes a balance between ecological recovery and socio-economic realities, avoiding excessive harm to the fishing industry while reducing resource pressure and creating conditions for long-term resource recovery." Gougeon also pointed out that the agreement is seen as a "transitional" arrangement to leave room for a future more comprehensive six-party agreement with the EU and Greenland. The Scottish government will continue to push for a broader quota negotiation mechanism, seeking agreements based on solid evidence to ensure the long-term sustainability of Scottish fisheries. Richard Williamson, President of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen's Association (SPFA), said, "With the four-party agreement reached, the fishing pressure has decreased by 9% compared to the previous three-party agreement (UK, Norway, and the Faroe Islands). Iceland's participation brings us closer to reaching a comprehensive agreement, and we urge the EU and Greenland to join as soon as possible. After nearly four years of negotiations, it is now time for all parties to work together to ensure the long-term sustainability of mackerel resources. Especially the EU, which needs to take its responsibilities seriously like the other parties..."