It is unclear how the stock of sardine in ICES Division 7 is doing, as too little information is available to assess its status. In ICES Divisions 8a, 8b and 8d, the stock has been small for several years and recovery has failed to materialise, despite lower fishing pressure.
Fisheries using anchored gillnets and trammel nets can catch marine mammals, seabirds, sharks and rays as bycatch. The level of discarding is uncertain and may be high in trammel net fisheries. The risk of lost fishing gear is among the highest of the fishing methods assessed. CO₂ emissions are low, and the direct impact on the seabed is limited.
Management is considered only partly effective. In ICES Division 7, the stock is insufficiently monitored and there are no specific measures to control fishing pressure. In ICES Divisions 8a, 8b and 8d, the stock is monitored extensively and reference points have been established, but a precautionary management plan is lacking. Despite the existing measures, the stock remains in poor condition. The protection of vulnerable species, enforcement and measures to address lost fishing gear are also insufficiently effective.