Horse mackerel
What to check for
Location
Norwegian Sea, North Sea (North), Celtic Seas, Cantabrian Sea, English Channel (South), Bay of Biscay. Western stock.: All areas
Technical location
27 - Atlantic, Northeast, 8: Bay of Biscay, 7f: Bristol Channel, 7g: Celtic Sea (North), 7h: Celtic Sea (South), 7e: English Channel (West), 5b: Faroes Grounds, 7a: Irish Sea, 4a: North Sea (North), 2a: Norwegian Sea, 7c: Porcupine Bank, 7j: Southwest of Ireland (East), 7k: Southwest of Ireland (West), 7b: West of Ireland, 6a: West of Scotland
Caught by
Net (pelagic trawl)
Rating summary
The Western horse mackerel population is critically depleted and is a Fish to Avoid.Rating last updated November 2023.
How we worked out this Rating
References
Abaunza, P., Gordo, L., Karlou-Riga, C. et al., (2003). Growth and reproduction of horse mackerel, Trachurus trachurus (carangidae). Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, 13, pp.27–61. Available at https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/34725233.pdf [Accessed 06.11.2023]
ASCOBANS. (2018). Update on the implementation of the EU nature, marine and fisheries policies relevant for ASCOBANS activities. Available at: https://www.ascobans.org/sites/default/files/document/AC24_Inf._8.a_Background%20document%20on%20relevant%20EU%20policy%20matters_0.pdf [Accessed on 13.11.23]
Beltran, J., Brunel, T., Campbell, A. et al., (2021). Workshop for the Review of the Assessment of a New Rebuilding Plan for Western Horse Mackerel (WKWHMRP). International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). ICES Scientific Report Vol. 3 No. 37 https://doi.org/10.17895/ices.pub.8023
Dars, C., Meheust, E., Genu, M. et al., (2021). Les echouages de mammiferes marins sur le littoral francais en 2021. Reseau National Echouages (RNE), Rapport annuel. Available at https://www.observatoire-pelagis.cnrs.fr/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/rapport_echouage_2021_20221125.pdf
Froese, R. and D. Pauly (editors) (2023). FishBase: Atlantic horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus). Available at https://fishbase.mnhn.fr/summary/Trachurus-trachurus.html [Accessed 06.11.2023]
ICES (2018). Bycatch of small cetaceans and other marine animals – review of national reports under Council Regulation (EC) No. 812/2004 and other information. Available to download at https://www.ices.dk/advice/Pages/Latest-Advice.aspx [Downloaded 29.07.2020]
ICES (2020). EU request on emergency measures to prevent bycatch of common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and Baltic Proper harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in the Northeast Atlantic. ICES Advice: Special Requests. Report. https://doi.org/10.17895/ices.advice.6023
ICES. (2021a). EU request to ICES on the assessment of a new rebuilding plan for western horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) in ICES Subarea 8 and divisions 2.a, 4.a, 5.b, 6.a, 7.a–c, and 7.e–k. In Report of the ICES Advisory Committee, 2021. ICES Advice 2021, sr.2021.04. https://doi.org/10.17895/ices.advice.8039
ICES. (2021b). Stock Annex: Horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) in Subarea 8 and divisions 2.a, 4.a, 5.b, 6.a, 7.a-c,e-k (the Northeast Atlantic). ICES Stock Annexes. Report. https://doi.org/10.17895/ices.pub.18622697.v1
ICES. (2022a). ICES Roadmap for bycatch advice on protected, endangered and threatened species (2022). ICES Technical Guidelines. Report. https://doi.org/10.17895/ices.advice.19657167.v3
ICES. (2022b). Working Group on Bycatch of Protected Species (WGBYC). ICES Scientific Reports. 3:107. 168 pp. https://doi.org/10.17895/ices.pub.9256
ICES. (2023a). Horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) in Subarea 8 and divisions 2.a, 4.a, 5.b, 6.a, 7.a–c, and 7.e–k (the Northeast Atlantic). In Report of the ICES Advisory Committee, 2022. ICES Advice 2023, hom.27.2a4a5b6a7a-ce-k8, https://doi.org/10.17895/ices.advice.21856521
ICES. (2023b). Working Group on Widely Distributed Stocks (WGWIDE). ICES Scientific Reports. 5:82. https://doi.org/10.17895/ices.pub.24025482
MCS (2023). MPA Reality Check. Available at https://mpa-reality-check.org/ [Accessed 07.11.2023]
MMO (2018). Statutory guidance: Minimum Conservation Reference Size (MCRS) in UK waters. Available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/minimum-conservation-reference-sizes-mcrs/minimum-conservation-reference-sizes-mcrs-in-uk-waters [Accessed 06.11.2023]
Peltier, H., Authier, M., Deaville, R., et al. (2016). Small cetacean bycatch as estimated from stranding schemes: The common dolphin case in the northeast Atlantic. Environmental Science and Policy, 63: 7-18. doi: 10.1016/j.envsci.2016.05.004. Available at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1462901116301514 [Accessed 08.11.2023]
Seafish (2023). Pelagic Trawl. Available at: https://www.seafish.org/responsible-sourcing/fishing-gear-database/gear/pelagic-trawl/ [Accessed 07.11.2023]
