Speech by Commissioner Kadis at the Agrifish Council: Urgent EU Action needed on Northeast Atlantic Mackerel

Dear President, Ministers,

Since this is the first time that I take the floor today, let me begin by warmly congratulating Cyprus on the start of its Presidency.

I wish our Cypriot friends and colleagues every success in advancing our shared European priorities and I look forward to close and constructive cooperation in the months ahead.

With regard to the situation on mackerel as raised by Ireland: I fully agree with you and understand the concerns you have raised again today. We have been dealing with a major and concerning issue with our partners regarding mackerel, for several years now.

This culminated with the conclusion of the 4-Party partial arrangement between the UK, Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands, on the 15^th of December. This was done without prior consultation with the EU.

I agree that this arrangement does not leave enough space for our historical and stable share in the mackerel fisheries. Moreover, it sets a total allowable catch for North-East Atlantic mackerel much higher than the scientific advice from ICES. And this, despite the extremely poor status of the stock, which is on the verge of collapse, due to years of overfishing, exacerbated by some coastal States inflating their shares unilaterally.

We are currently assessing this arrangement as regards its compliance with international law, including the provisions of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

It should be noted that so far, most of the coastal States have not yet set their final 2026 quotas. Implementing the quotas, based on the total allowable catch recommended in the 4-Party arrangement, would seriously threaten both the sustainability of the fisheries and the livelihoods of EU fishers and coastal communities.

Be reassured that the Commission is currently engaging at all levels, and by this, I mean technical, diplomatic and political levels, to ensure that our position is conveyed and made very clear to the other parties.

The EU, as current chair of coastal States consultation, called a consultation round in London today and we are ready. As I speak, the EU delegation is actively engaging with all relevant Parties. While I understand your concerns, I feel it is important to allow space for negotiations, to explore all possibilities for a hopefully positive outcome.

This is a crucial test for the coastal States process. We will reassess the situation after this round. I have heard clearly your calls, and I assure you that all options are on the table.

Regarding emergency market measures for impacted fishers, the crisis mechanism under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) provides one-off rapid compensation only in cases of exceptional events causing significant markets disruptions, comparable to the COVID-19 crisis. This mechanism is not intended to cover isolated cases that do not significantly impact the market.

Beyond this crisis mechanism, Member States may adopt emergency measures to support the conservation objectives of the common fisheries policy or address exceptional circumstances. EMFAF may also compensate temporary cessation of fishing activities resulting from conservation or emergency measures, force majeure, the application of a sustainable fisheries partnership agreement, a natural disaster, environmental incident or health crisis.

On a final note, the Commission will do everything possible to defend the sustainability of the mackerel stock in the Northeast Atlantic, our fishing sector and the European Unions role as a key coastal State for this stock.