Mackerel population in North Atlantic drops 42 percent, marking second consecutive year of decline

The mackerel population in the North Atlantic has significantly declined, according to the annual survey conducted by Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands. The latest findings reveal that the index for mackerel in this region is 42 percent lower than last year.

This marks the second consecutive year of declining numbers, with an overall decrease of 80 percent since 2020. Researchers have observed a shift in the mackerel’s habitat, as they are now moving further east, with the western boundary now near Iceland’s eastern coast. Additionally, there is a notable reduction in mackerel numbers to the north within the surveyed area.

Currently, mackerel are mostly concentrated in the Norwegian Sea. The decline is also evident in the Faroe Islands’ waters. In the North Sea, the index for the mackerel population is down by 18 percent compared to last year. Furthermore, the index for North Sea herring has dropped by 24 percent.

On a slightly positive note, the index for black scabbardfish remains unchanged from the previous year. The stock assessments from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) are expected to be released in about a month.