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This is something we have saying for the last 6 or 7 years. Mackerel are a now rarity in our area and year on year becoming harder and harder to find in fact most of us, apart from a lazy line have given up.

Our Chairman into one of his beloved rays

We cannot say that Terry, I understand where your coming from, but we must be able to do something as a club and individuals surely? I have told various non angling friends about this over the last couple of years and no one can believe it.

How do we as a Club or individuals get behind this urgent need for change?

Two Gordon’s and Andy on Isabella out of Burravoe Cod! Haddock (preferred target), mackerel, wrasse and dogfish and maybe ling. Nobody buys fish on Yell.

Home NewsMackerel Meltdown: Industrial Greed Pushes Stock to 20-Year Low Marine 30 September 2025 Mackerel Meltdown: Industrial Greed Pushes Stock to 20-Year Low The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) has delivered today shocking advice: commercial catches of Northeast Atlantic mackerel must be cut by 77% in 2026 if the stock is to stand any chance of recovery. Mackerel populations are now at their lowest level in more than 20 years. Once one of the UK’s most iconic and accessible fish, the humble mackerel is facing a crisis caused by decades of political inaction and industrial overfishing. A Story of Mismanagement Since 2010, quotas for mackerel have, on average, been set 39% higher than the scientific advice. In total, over one million tonnes of mackerel have been taken in excess of what scientists recommended in recent years. This is the direct result of coastal states failing to agree on a sharing arrangement, leaving the door open to excessive quotas and free-for-all exploitation. Why Anglers Should Care For recreational sea anglers, mackerel is more than just a species – it’s a symbol of summer. From jigging feathers off a pier to introducing children to their first catch on the beach, mackerel fishing is one of life’s simplest and most joyful pleasures. But while families with a rod and line make memories along the coast, industrial-scale pelagic fleets have been scooping up vast quantities of mackerel and undermining the sustainability of local coastal communities that depend on healthy seas. If this trajectory continues, the David vs Goliath battle between coastal communities and industrial offshore fleets will only end one way. What Must Happen Next The Angling Trust is calling for: Coastal states to agree on a sustainable, science-based sharing arrangement for the Northeast Atlantic mackerel. Governments to stop ignoring ICES advice and cut commercial catches by 77% in 2026. Recognition of the importance of mackerel for recreational anglers and local communities, not just industrial fleets Stronger international accountability mechanisms to prevent chronic commercial overfishing of shared stocks. A Fight for the Future Mackerel should be one of the UK’s great success stories: abundant, accessible, and vital to the marine food web. Instead, it is now a case study in what happens when short-term politics trumps long-term sustainability. For sea anglers, the thought that a family might no longer be able to go down to the beach, cast a line, and catch a few mackerel to take home is heartbreaking. That simple pleasure is being stolen by industrial greed. The Angling Trust will continue to fight to make sure the voice of recreational sea anglers is heard loud and clear in this debate – and to ensure future generations can still enjoy the thrill of catching mackerel from our shores. You can join the fight by becoming a member of the Angling Trust today.

Its not just the Russians though, there are Scottish super trawlers getting a million pounds a time, for their catches by taking them alive to Norway. For export to Japan

Unless they can bring the Russians on board who have the biggest industrial harvesting machines which seem to operate anywhere they like, very little hope. Terry.

Madness is going out this coming Friday with Tony D And Phil T onboard Anyone else taking advantage of the light winds? If you are we will be monitoring Ch6

Will be out with Nigel on Lady V

Hope it's short term pain but for long term gain Greg then happy fishing and happy life will return, go careful and be patient. 👍. Colin

Hope the walk goes well Graham

Ill be somewhere up Snowdon this weekend. Tight lines. I hope we all have favourable weather.

Dan and I are hoping to go Thursday, he has work booked in Friday

Big fish on, very local

Thanks Charlie, You are totally correct Charlie. The problem is they discharge you so quickly that it is difficult to take everything in. I did accidentally overdose on the Morphine at home on Saturday afternoon and I would not want to do that again!!! Nearly had to have the ambulance out as my oxygen levels dived. But all good now and as each day goes by it seems to get a bit easier to cope with. Greg Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks Chris and everyone for your kind wishes and comments. Although the op went well the recovery time is going to be far more than expected. Typical me impatient!!! This year’s fishing for me has been pretty rough due to the knee issue. However, looking forward to getting out in about 4 to 6 weeks time[emoji106] And yes, that is when the weather will change!!!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk