Plaice stocks in the North Sea and around Iceland are in fair condition; a comprehensive study shows that the stock is well above the maximum sustainable yield (MSY), and that mortality is low enough to maintain this level.
Fishing with Danish and Scottish seines appears to be more sustainable than forms of trawl fishing, but it is not without its shortcomings when it comes to plaice.
Several endangered species have been found in bycatch, primarily the common skate and the Spanish dogfish. Scottish seine nets are estimated to have a 27% mortality rate in discarded bycatch, and much of the catch appears not to be monitored.
The stock is adequately monitored, although there is some criticism of the method used to calculate the reference points. The stock is managed in accordance with the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy, and there is an agreement between the EU, Norway, and the United Kingdom for 2023. However, a long-term management plan is lacking. Regulations intended to reduce the impact on ETP species are not fully effective. A discard ban is in place, but compliance is poor and monitoring is inadequate.
There is insufficient information available on the effects of trawl fishing on threatened species. With regard to fish and demersal cartilaginous fish, the impact at the population level in Iceland is still unknown, but the fishery contributes to an overall threat to these species.