The Assessment of the Western Mackerel Stock

Abstract

The mackerel fishery is one of the most important components of the Irish fishing industry. The annual Irish quota is based on the scientific assessments of the size of the spawning stock. These assessments are based on the mackerel egg surveys which are carried out every three years and on the age composition of the total catches. The assessments have indicated that the stock in recent years has declined substantially and is now below 2 million tonnes. Predictions on the development of the stock indicate that it will decline even further unless catches are substantially reduced. The management target for the stock is that it should be rebuilt to a level above 2 million tonnes as quickly as possible. The decline in the stock has resulted in severe reductions in the Irish annual quota and this in turn has had a serious effect on both the catching and processing sectors of the industry.