The stocks of anchovy in the Bay of Biscay and Iberian waters are doing well. Biomass is well above sustainable levels, and current fishing pressure is low enough to maintain a healthy stock. Since the fishery reopened in 2010, the stock has been exploited sustainably.
Fishing with purse seines results in low levels of discards and causes no damage to the seabed. Fishing with midwater otter trawls also has low levels of discards and causes no damage to the seabed, but bycatch of common dolphins appears to be higher than officially recorded. The consequences for vulnerable (ETP) species therefore remain uncertain. Purse seines are therefore the better choice.
Management is considered largely effective. The fishery falls under the European Union’s Common Fisheries Policy, and the stock is well monitored. However, bycatch of common dolphins and the release of catches (slipping) remain points of concern. Part of these fisheries is MSC-certified.