Ryan Orgera, the Global Director at Accountability.fish / Euroactiv / FIS

Opinion: 'The Urgent Need for Transparency and Accountability in Northeast Atlantic Fisheries Management'

There is an urgent need for greater transparency and accountability in managing fisheries in the Northeast Atlantic. Ryan Orgera, Global Director at Accountability.fish, highlights the dysfunction within the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC), warning that overfishing of key species is exacerbated by opaque decision-making processes. Reforms in governance and enhanced observer participation are essential for ensuring the sustainability of these fisheries, as Orgera argues in an article published by Euractiv.

The fisheries in the Northeast Atlantic are at risk. With nearly six percent of the global finfish catch originating from this region, unchecked overfishing could lead to severe consequences. However, the governance system intended to prevent overfishing is being undermined by the very countries exploiting these fish stocks, with the public largely kept unaware.

Three vital species—Atlantic herring, mackerel, and blue whiting—are being persistently overfished, a result of NEAFC’s dysfunction and its members' insistence on conducting much of their business through unofficial, questionably legal bi- and multilateral meetings. These meetings, often closed to observers and the public, lead to poor transparency and decision-making.

Despite available scientific guidance, NEAFC member countries consistently fail to reach agreements on how to share total allowable catches (TAC), resulting in rampant overfishing. In 2023, for example, quotas for mackerel were set at 151% of the recommended TAC, herring at 136%, and blue whiting at 123%, showcasing the systemic failure of governance, transparency, and accountability.

Part of the issue stems from NEAFC's structure

Iceland, the UK, Norway, and Russia are sovereign members, while the European Union represents continental Denmark, with Denmark representing Greenland and the Faroe Islands at the NEAFC table. These Coastal States consultations, held outside formal legal frameworks, have become the primary venues for fisheries management decisions, effectively sidelining NEAFC’s role and diminishing regional conservation efforts.

The Coastal States consultations, marked by opaque decision-making and unilateral quota-setting, regularly ignore scientific advice. Observers are rarely included and, when allowed, are treated as afterthoughts. Meanwhile, NEAFC itself, while more formal, also suffers from limited observer participation, particularly in its Permanent Committee on Monitoring and Compliance (PECMAC), which is often a closed-door affair.

Geopolitical tensions only exacerbate these issues

Disagreements between the UK, EU, and Norway, as well as Russia's strained relations with other NEAFC members due to the war in Ukraine, hinder progress. However, this dysfunction predates these conflicts, and wealthy nations must not use them as an excuse to avoid necessary reforms.

The stakes are global. Atlantic herring, mackerel, and blue whiting are some of the world’s most landed fish species, essential for food security and economic stability. Continued overfishing jeopardizes ecosystems, the livelihoods of coastal communities, and the long-term viability of these fisheries.

To reverse the decline, Coastal States and NEAFC must embrace greater transparency and accountability

This includes formalizing guidelines for observer participation and ensuring that decision-making processes are open to public scrutiny. NEAFC should also reform its rules to allow for meaningful observer engagement in key committees, like PECMAC, and extend observer terms to promote sustained participation.

Without these critical changes, the region’s most valuable fish stocks will continue to decline, threatening the marine environment and the communities that depend on it. The time for action is now—reforms are essential to ensure sustainable fisheries and restore trust in the governance process. The world is watching, and the stakes could not be higher.

This article reflects the author’s opinion. The views expressed in opinion pieces do not necessarily represent the editorial stance of this publication. Fish Info & Services is an independent platform, open to the opinions of its readers. If you would like to contribute, please contact us. [email protected]

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