You suggest that the European Union is setting a worrying trend by ignoring scientific advice on overfishing, but that is only part of the story (Nature 528, 435; 2015).

The advice you mention refers to catch levels that are in line with the objectives of the EU Common Fisheries Policy. Those are based on the fish-stock biomass that can deliver maximum sustainable yields. Scientific advice on the annual catch limits (known as total allowable catches, or TACs) is aimed at delivering maximum sustainable yield and is provided by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). However, the TACs are set by the EU Council of Ministers and, as you point out, can sometimes exceed the levels advised by ICES.

Nevertheless, to accuse the EU of “ignoring” scientific advice in such cases oversimplifies the decision-making process. In fact, the extent to which TACs have exceeded the levels recommended by ICES has decreased since 2001, as you note.

Other objectives in the fisheries policy relate to their economic and social benefits. They aim to ensure the availability of food supplies and to contribute to a fair living standard for those who are dependent on fishing. Decision-making for fisheries management is therefore more complex than simply setting catch limits.