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The document argues that the EU failed its 2020 legal deadline to end overfishing and continues to set Total Allowable Catches (TACs) above scientific advice. It calls for the strict application of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), the precautionary approach, and ecosystem-based management, particularly for depleted, deep-sea, and shared stocks. Key recommendations include setting TACs below maximum catch advice to create 'climate buffers', implementing remote electronic monitoring to enforce the Landing Obligation, and prioritizing the recovery of critically endangered species like the European eel.

A coalition of environmental NGOs urges the UK to align 2023 Total Allowable Catches (TACs) with scientific advice from ICES to combat persistent overfishing. The recommendations emphasize the precautionary approach, ecosystem-based management, and the need for a 'climate buffer' for vulnerable species. The authors highlight that nearly two-thirds of UK-negotiated TACs from 2020-2022 exceeded scientific advice and call for stricter controls on mixed fisheries, the Landing Obligation, and the protection of critically endangered species like the European eel.

A coalition of NGOs urges the European Commission to end overfishing by setting Total Allowable Catches (TACs) strictly within scientific limits and transitioning to low-impact, climate-friendly fisheries. The group highlights significant implementation gaps in the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), particularly regarding the landing obligation and the failure to meet the 2020 goal of sustainable harvesting for all stocks. They advocate for an ecosystem-based approach that accounts for climate-driven species shifts and the use of remote electronic monitoring to combat illegal discarding.

A coalition of environmental organisations advises the UK government to centre its Industrial Fishing Strategy on the ecological role of forage fish rather than their end use. The authors argue for the urgent closure of the UK Exclusive Economic Zone to sandeel fishing to protect seabird populations and recommend expanding the strategy's scope to include at least 13 additional species critical to marine food webs. They further suggest collaborating with the European Union and Norway and seeking a Management Strategy Evaluation by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea to establish robust catch limits using ecological multipliers.

The report finds that while 2021 TACs show slight improvement over 2020, the EU and UK missed the 2020 deadline to end overfishing. Over 40% of analyzed TACs for 2021 still exceeded scientific advice. The analysis reveals a persistent lack of ambition for stocks based on precautionary advice compared to MSY-based advice, and for bycatch stocks compared to target stocks. It also highlights systemic failures in transparency and the improper implementation of the landing obligation, which risks further overfishing.

The document argues that the EU has failed its legal obligation to end overfishing by 2020 and calls for 2022 Total Allowable Catches (TACs) to be set strictly within scientific advice. It emphasizes the need for a precautionary approach, better implementation of the Landing Obligation, and the prioritization of depleted stocks over short-term economic profit. The authors also urge the EU to ensure that negotiations with third parties, such as the UK and Norway, adhere to the sustainability objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy.

A joint statement by five NGOs urging the UK Government to set 2022 fishing opportunities below scientific advice to combat overfishing and enhance marine ecosystem resilience.

The document is a joint letter from a coalition of NGOs calling for greater transparency and accountability in the negotiations between the EU, the UK, and Norway regarding fishing opportunities and catch limits for 2021. The authors argue that while the UK has granted NGOs equal access to its delegation, the EU continues to exclude civil society while allowing the fishing industry inside negotiations. They urge the EU to align its processes with the Aarhus Convention and the European Green Deal to prevent overfishing in the Northeast Atlantic.

The Marine Conservation Society, ClientEarth, and Oceana urge the UK Government to align 2021 catch limits with scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) to end overfishing. The authors advocate for the use of Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY), the implementation of Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) for depleted stocks, and a more ambitious bycatch-only limit for seabass. They emphasize the need for a precautionary approach to deep-sea stocks and the transition of non-quota species to TAC and quota management to address biodiversity and climate emergencies.

The EU Ombudsman found that the Council of the EU committed maladministration by failing to provide timely and proactive access to legislative and environmental documents used to set fishing quotas in the Northeast Atlantic. Despite a recommendation to increase transparency, the Council declined to follow the Ombudsman's advice.

The report finds that the EU missed its 2020 deadline to end overfishing, with nearly half of the analyzed TACs for 2020 still exceeding scientific advice. It highlights a systemic failure to follow precautionary advice for data-limited stocks and a tendency to prioritize target stocks over bycatch stocks. The analysis identifies specific Member States—including France, Ireland, and Spain—as frequently pushing for unsustainable catch limits based on unsubstantiated socio-economic claims. The document also criticizes the lack of transparency in the TAC-setting process and the potential for misleading reporting by the European Commission.

ClientEarth, the Marine Conservation Society, and Oceana urge the UK Government to set 2021 catch limits based on the best available scientific advice from ICES, specifically advocating for limits not exceeding the maximum sustainable yield (MSY). The recommendations emphasize a precautionary, ecosystem-based approach, particularly for deep-sea stocks and depleted species like Atlantic cod and whiting. Key proposals include the mandatory rollout of Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) for vessels over 10m, the implementation of Fish Stock Recovery Areas, and the use of highly selective fishing gear to reduce bycatch. The authors argue that restoring fish stocks to healthy levels would increase the value of fish landings by an estimated 37% and create over 5,000 new jobs.

The document argues that the EU failed to meet the 2020 legal deadline to end overfishing in the Northeast Atlantic, noting that 46 percent of Total Allowable Catches (TACs) in December 2019 exceeded scientific advice. It recommends that 2021 TACs be set strictly within the best available scientific advice from ICES, that landing obligation (LO) compliance be factored into catch limits, and that transparency be improved regarding the rationale for TAC proposals.

The document argues that the EU missed its 2020 deadline to end overfishing of all stocks and identifies four critical gaps in the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). It highlights that 38% of analysed stocks in the Northeast Atlantic remain overfished and criticizes the Commission for omitting data-limited stocks from reporting and failing to strictly adhere to scientific advice when setting total allowable catches (TACs). The authors emphasize that ending overfishing is essential for the European Green Deal and the EU Biodiversity Strategy, and they call for the adoption of remote electronic monitoring (REM) to ensure compliance with the landing obligation.

The document argues that EU deep-sea fish populations are depleted or under-assessed and that current management fails to meet the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) objective of ending overfishing. It recommends that fishing limits be based on the best available scientific advice, specifically urging the reintroduction of Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for stocks where they were removed, and setting zero TACs for orange roughy, red seabream in area 6-8, and deep-sea sharks.

The document urges the EU, UK, and other Northeast Atlantic coastal states to establish a joint fisheries management framework based on scientific advice and the Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) to end overfishing. It recommends multilateral collaboration, the adoption of a precautionary approach as defined by the UNFSA, and the use of peer-reviewed data from independent institutions like ICES. Specific priorities include recovering North Sea cod stocks and resolving allocation issues for large pelagic stocks such as mackerel, herring, and blue whiting, while ensuring transparency in accordance with the Aarhus Convention.

ClientEarth has called on France to urge the Council of the EU to publish documents related to the 2020 Total Allowable Catches (TACs) in the Northeast Atlantic. This request follows a European Ombudsman recommendation for greater transparency in the decision-making process for fishing quotas, noting that past processes were neither transparent nor participatory and that documents were systematically classified as LIMITE.

ClientEarth urges the Council of the European Union to increase transparency in the decision-making process for 2020 fishing opportunities, specifically requesting the public release of the 'the bible' document regarding Northeast Atlantic negotiations to align with a European Ombudsman recommendation.

The report finds that progress toward ending overfishing by 2020 has been too slow, with a majority of agreed TACs for 2019 still exceeding scientific advice. It highlights a systemic lack of ambition for stocks subject to precautionary advice and those classified as bycatch, while identifying specific Member States—including France, Ireland, and Spain—as frequent advocates for unsustainable catch limits. The document also criticizes the lack of transparency in the TAC-setting process and the potential for misleading reporting by the European Commission.

The document argues that the EU has failed to make sufficient progress toward the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) goals, with many stocks remaining overfished. It criticizes the AGRIFISH Council for setting total allowable catches (TACs) above scientific advice and for the poor implementation of the Landing Obligation (LO). The NGOs recommend setting 2020 TACs strictly within scientific limits, improving the transparency of the TAC-setting process, and ending the use of 'bycatch TACs' without robust reduction plans.