The state of the North Sea stock of Atlantic horse mackerel is unknown. There are insufficient reliable data (e.g. biological and [discard] data) to do a proper stock assessment. The stock declined for the past years, and appears to be stabilized on that level. The fishing pressure on this species declined, the effects thereof are not yet seen.
The fishery with [midwater otter trawls] is quite selective, because horse mackerel swims in schools high in the [water column]: there is little bycatch of other species. There is no interaction with the seafloor. Horse mackerel is considered to be one of the most important predatory fish in the North Sea. It has possibly an impact on ecosystem via the [food chain].
Horse mackerel is managed with [catch limits]. In 2007 a management plan has been made by the pelagicPelagic trawls:
In pelagic trawling, a trawl is pulled through the water column. The net is not towed across the seabed. RAC (Regional Advisory Council). This plan is being used since 2008 in determining the TAC (Total Allowable Catch)