North Sea Horse Mackerel Fisheries Management Plan

Why an FMP for North Sea horse mackerel?

This FMP covers two separate horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) stocks. Horse mackerel in ICES division 4a is part of the Western horse mackerel stock, and horse mackerel in ICES divisions 4b-c and 7d is part of the North Sea horse mackerel stock. This is explored further under the section ‘Scope’.

Western horse mackerel is caught as part of a directed pelagic fishery across ICES Subarea 8 and divisions 2.a, 3.a, 4.a, 5.b, 6.a, 7.a–c, and 7.e–k (Northeast Atlantic and adjacent waters). This FMP covers area 4.a from where some 6% of the landed catch was taken in 2025. However, Western horse mackerel is also featured in the Celtic Sea and Western Channel (CSWC) pelagic FMP^[1], which covers Area 7.e, 7.f and 7.g from where around 11% of the landed catch was taken in 2025. Therefore, this document should be read in conjunction with the CSWC pelagic FMP.

North Sea horse mackerel is caught as part of a bycatch fishery in ICES divisions 4.a-b and division 7.d (Southern and Central North Sea (SCNS) and Eastern Channel). The target fishery for North Sea horse mackerel in these areas has been closed since 2025 due to the depleted conditions of the stock and is currently only landed as bycatch.

Pelagic species play an important role in the marine ecosystem and given the presence of horse mackerel in UK waters, it is important that appropriate management measures are in place.