<![CDATA[The Northeast Atlantic mackerel dispute is a conflict caused by changes in the distribution of mackerel stocks due to climate change. This triggered tensions between coastal countries such as the European Union, Norway, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands in the fight for quotas for mackerel catches. The conflict exposes the weakness of the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) in addressing fair quota sharing, especially when Iceland and the Faroe Islands demand greater allocations based on the presence of stocks in their waters, while the European Union and Norway retain historical rights. Using Lewis Coser's functional conflict theory, this study highlights the realistic nature of conflicts driven by the interests of different countries making countries compete for scarce resources. Although the NEAFC initially failed to mediate effectively due to weak law enforcement mechanisms, the conflict catalyzed policy innovation, strengthened regional solidarity through dialogue, and encouraged institutional reform. By analysing secondary data through a qualitative descriptive approach, the study underscores how managed conflicts can drive adaptive, inclusive, and sustainable fisheries management in the Northeast, despite ongoing challenges in achieving a fair quota agreement.]]>
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