NWWAC Calls for End to Seabass Moratorium as Stocks Recover
The North Western Waters Advisory Council (NWWAC) has asked the European Commission to end the long-standing moratorium on Northern seabass fishing in 2026. The council argues that new scientific data demonstrate a strong rebound in seabass populations and a major rise in spawning biomass.
Scientific Evidence and Assessment
The recommendation is based on the 2023–2024 ICES benchmark assessment, which confirmed a notable recovery of seabass in the North-East Atlantic. According to the NWWAC Seabass Focus Group, which met on September 5 and finalized its advice on November 4, 2025, the fishery has reached a stage where the strict rules imposed in 2015 could now be eased.
“ICES data show that all biological reference thresholds for Northern seabass have been revised upwards, with the spawning stock biomass (SSB) now well above precautionary limits.”
ICES estimates that the SSB for 2025 will exceed 25,000 tonnes, nearly double the figure seen two years earlier.
Balancing Conservation and Management
The NWWAC stresses that any relaxation of current restrictions must still ensure sustainable practices and coordination between the EU and the UK. However, recreational fishing groups advocate a cautious approach to prevent future declines in stocks.
Summary
The NWWAC recommends lifting the Northern seabass fishing moratorium from 2026, citing significant stock recovery supported by ICES data.
Author’s summary: NWWAC’s call to lift the 2026 seabass moratorium follows clear scientific evidence of recovery, but sustainability concerns remain central to policy decisions.