World stocks of mackerel are approaching critical levels, and fish populations in certain regions may soon lose their ability to self-renew. About this informs The Guardian with reference to the British non-governmental organization Marine Conservation Society (MCS).
The reason is the systematic overfishing of this fish in several countries. As an example, the Atlantic mackerel is given – previously its population was considered stable and numerous, but over the last four years the volume of overfishing has reached almost 25%. States are not following catch control recommendations, and as of 2009, overfishing has reached 80%.
According to the MCS, the highest rates of overfishing are observed in Norway, Iceland, Great Britain and the Faroe Islands. The organization advises residents of these regions to pay attention to alternative products, in particular herring and sardines. Restaurants and supermarkets are recommended to abandon mackerel caught by deep-sea trawl, as this is the method by which fish are often harvested in violation of regulations.
“It is deeply worrying to see a seafood source once considered a sustainable choice in such decline. Mackerel is under enormous pressure from fishing activities in many countries and soon stocks will no longer be able to sustain themselves.” said MCS manager Alice Moore.
According to her, only governments can correct the situation if they start to act together, control the catch and take into account the recommendations of scientists.
