The Pelagic AC provides credible, scientific, and consensus-based advice to inform pelagic fisheries policy, both upon the request of the European Commission and Member States, and on its own initiative. All advice and recommendations are developed and approved by the members of the Pelagic AC.
Our advice — and responses to it — may be accessed below.
| Name | Summary | Year | Downloads |
|---|---|---|---|
| PelAC recommendation on Fishing Opportunities 2026 | The Pelagic Advisory Council (PelAC) submitted its 2026 fishing opportunities recommendations to the EU Commission, emphasizing the need for sustainable, science-based management of pelagic stocks like mackerel, blue whiting, and herring. It highlights critical concerns over unilateral quota-setting by non-EU coastal states (Norway, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Russia), which has led to overfishing and jeopardized stock sustainability. PelAC calls for urgent long-term sharing agreements, ecosystem-based management, and socioeconomic impact assessments to address the severe economic and social repercussions on EU fleets and coastal communities. The letter also stresses the importance of up-to-date data, improved stock assessments, and integrating climate change impacts into management strategies. PelAC recommends following ICES advice, revising long-term management plans, and using trade measures to deter unsustainable practices. | 2025 | Letter to COM |