The hake stock in the Northern and Southern Adriatic Sea is doing poorly. Its reproductive capacity is under pressure, and current fishing pressure is too high to allow the stock to recover in the long term. In particular, the high catch of juvenile hake may further deteriorate the age structure of the stock.
Fishing with demersal longlines may catch vulnerable and protected species (ETP), such as sharks, rays, sea turtles and seabirds, as bycatch. Discards are expected to be limited, but the composition of the catch is insufficiently known to properly assess the overall impact. The consequences for the food web are also uncertain, although climate change is likely to play an important role as well. The risk of damage caused by lost fishing gear is low.
Management is considered partly effective. Restrictions on fishing effort and temporary or closed areas are in place, but these measures are insufficient to allow the stock to recover sustainably and do not fully align with scientific advice. Protection of vulnerable species and enforcement could be improved. There is no MSC certification or FIP available for this fishery.