Partially effective management is in place for sardine in this region. Catches have exceeded advice in recent years.Sardine in this area is jointly managed by Spain and Portugal, and national measures and effort limitations have significantly reduced fishing mortality. There is currently no international Total Allowable Catch (TAC).A Management Plan (MP) for the period 2021–2026 was agreed between Portugal and Spain. ICES evaluated the plan and found it to be precautionary with maximum allowed catches between 30,000 and 50,000 tonnes. Since 2021, total catch has been in line with advised catch levels, however, the 2023 catch (47,973 tonnes) exceeded advice by 9% and the the 2024 catch assumption (46,095 tonnes) exceeds advice by 18%. Therefore, recent catches are not following advice. Predating the updated MP, in 2018 and 2019 advice was for zero catch, this advice was flouted, and the fisheries continued to fish for sardine; landing 15,062 tonnes in 2018 and 13,760 tonnes in 2019. Regulation measures in both Spain and Portugal for the fishery include:Minimum landing sizes (as detailed below)Specifications for design and use of fishing gearsMinimum mesh sizes for netsClosed seasonsA Minimum Conservation Reference Size (MCRS), i.e., minimum catch size, of 11 cm in place for sardine caught in European waters, which provides some protection to immature fish. Sardine taken below the length at fist maturity (average 14.8cm) would likely not have had the chance to reproduce.Discarding in this fishery is negligible. The EU and UK both have fishery management measures, which can include catch limits, population targets, and gear restrictions. However, compliance in the EU and UK has been inconsistent, with ongoing challenges in implementing some regulations. The goal of reaching Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) by 2020 was missed, with less than half of UK TACs in 2024 following ICES advice. In 2024, the EU and UK reaffirmed their commitment to sustainable fisheries by aligning management with scientific advice to gradually approach MSY. However, no new target date has been set for achieving MSY across all fisheries. The Landing Obligation (LO), an EU law retained by the UK post-Brexit, requires all quota fish to be landed, even if unwanted (over-quota or below minimum size). It aims to encourage more selective fishing methods, reduce bycatch, and improve catch reporting. However, compliance is poor, and accurate discard levels are hard to quantify with current monitoring programmes. The UK is in the process of replacing the LO with country-specific Catching Policies. The Marine Conservation Society views Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) with cameras is one of the most cost-effective tools for providing reliable fisheries data and aiding informed management decisions. Fully monitored fisheries enhance collaboration, data accuracy, stock recovery, and reduce impacts on marine wildlife and habitats. However, the full potential of REM may only be achieved when it tracks fishing location and documents catch and bycatch, particularly where vulnerable species and habitats are at risk. As of January 2024, the EU is introducing a Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) mandate for EU vessels, including CCTV cameras on vessels 18m or more that pose a potential risk of non-compliance, within the next 4 years. Across the UK, different approaches to REM are being taken and legislation is expected to be in place across all 4 countries within the next few years. The Marine Conservation Society is keen to see publicly available Fishery Management Plans for all commercially exploited stocks, especially where stocks are depleted, that include: An overview of the fishery including current stock status, spatial coverage, current fishing methods and impacts Targets for fishing pressure and biomass, and additional management when those targets are not being met, based on the best scientific evidence Timeframes for stock recovery Improved data collection, transparency, and accountability, supported by technologies such as Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) Consideration of wider environmental impacts of the fishery, including habitat impacts and minimising bycatch Stakeholder engagement
