It is doing well for the sardine stock in the Eastern Ionian Sea (GSA 20) and ICES Area 7 (the Celtic Sea and the waters west of Great Britain and Ireland). In both areas, the stock is at a sustainable level. In the Eastern Ionian Sea, biomass has been increasing since 2015 and fishing pressure is below the sustainable level. In ICES Area 7, biomass is among the highest levels in the time series, although official reference points for maximum sustainable yield are lacking. However, it is advised not to increase fishing pressure further.
Fisheries using purse seines have low bycatch and discards and cause no damage to the seabed. However, additional mortality may occur through slipping. CO₂ emissions and the risk of lost fishing gear are also low.
Management differs between the two areas. In the Eastern Ionian Sea, the stock is well monitored, but there is no specific management plan and enforcement is not equally effective across all countries. In ICES Area 7, the stock is also monitored, but international catch limits and a joint management plan are lacking. Since 2018, only the Cornish Sardine Management Association has applied additional rules to part of the fleet. This Cornish fishery is MSC-certified, while there is no FIP or MSC certification for the fishery in the Eastern Ionian Sea.