Photo: Stockfile/FIS

Red Alert on Mackerel: Dutch Fishing Sector Challenges VISwijzer's Hasty Sustainability Downgrade

NETHERLANDS
Wednesday, April 16, 2025, 06:00 (GMT + 9)

Fishing industry calls for science-based decisions and urges fair recognition of EU's responsible practices amid quota disputes with other Coastal States.

The recent decision by GoodFish to downgrade the sustainability rating of mackerel and Atlanto herring from orange to red in the VISwijzer has sparked strong concern across the Dutch fishing sector. While stakeholders acknowledge the challenges facing these fish stocks, they argue that the move deviates from current scientific advice and could have serious implications for both Dutch fishermen and the broader European seafood supply chain.

Scientific Advice vs. the Seafood Guide 'VISwijzer' Decision

According to the Pelagic Freezer Trawler Association (PFA), the Fish Federation (Visfederatie), and the Association of Dutch Fish Specialists (Vereniging van Nederlandse Visspecialisten,VNV), the downgrade is premature and unjustified. They point out that while scientific assessments indicate overfishing, the stocks of both species remain above critical biological thresholds. In fact, mackerel is currently above the precautionary level, and Atlanto herring is just below it, with catch advice for 2025 increasing by 3% due to positive recruitment trends.

“If science is to be our guiding principle, mackerel and herring should remain orange, not red,” the sector asserts. “The stocks are not yet overfished, and there is still time to implement stricter management before irreversible damage occurs.”

This is particularly frustrating for fishmongers and seafood retailers, as mackerel had just been declared ‘fish of the month’—a moment when promotional campaigns and consumer awareness efforts were already underway.

Root of the Problem: Quota Disputes

The core issue lies not with the fishing practices of the EU but with the breakdown of international agreements on quota distribution since 2018. Formerly agreed distribution keys between the EU, UK, Norway, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Russia have lapsed, leading to unilateral quota setting, particularly by Norway and the Faroe Islands.

These countries have set catch limits well above scientific recommendations, justifying their actions with claims about changing migration patterns—claims that, according to scientists, lack robust evidence.

The EU, by contrast, continues to adhere to the former agreement and follows scientific advice, often limiting its own catches responsibly.

“It is unjust that the EU's fishing industry and consumers bear the consequences of overfishing caused by other nations, some of whom catch these fish not for human consumption, but for fishmeal and fish oil production,” says the Fish Federation.

Supermarkets and Supply Chain at Risk

The shift to red could have far-reaching effects throughout the seafood supply chain. While supermarkets and fishmongers use varied sustainability criteria, some rely heavily on tools like the VISwijzer for their purchasing decisions. There is concern that mackerel and herring could be prematurely pulled from shelves, causing unnecessary damage to Dutch fisheries that operate within responsible frameworks.

However, several retailers and fish shops are still reviewing their stance, and the sector hopes that purchasing decisions will reflect the nuanced reality rather than relying on oversimplified indicators.

A Call for Cooperation and Clarity

The fishing sector urges GoodFish and other NGOs to reconsider the recent VISwijzer changes, and instead to align sustainability assessments with the latest scientific data. Retailers are also encouraged to stay the course until the deadline set by the North Atlantic Pelagic Advocacy Group (NAPA)—April 2026—when Coastal States are expected to agree on a revised quota distribution and sustainable management plan.

“This moment requires collaboration, not division,” says the PFA. “Let’s work together—governments, NGOs, market players and consumers—to ensure that policies are based on facts, clarity, and mutual trust.”

The Dutch fishing sector reaffirms its commitment to joint management of pelagic fisheries, balancing the need to protect marine biodiversity with the imperative of ensuring food security for future generations.

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