News / Fish sanctions soon
SCOTTISH fishermen have welcomed Monday night’s long awaited decision by the European Commission to impose trade sanctions against Faroe for setting a unilateral quota for Atlanto-Scandian herring.
The EC fisheries council has said that unless Faroe stops fishing herring and brings forward a plan to fish sustainably, the sanctions will begin at the end of July.
The EC has also promised to bring forward similar measures against Iceland for the hugely increased mackerel quotas it has set for itself outside international agreements.
Faroe more than tripled its herring quota to 105,000 tonnes earlier this year, and as a result the fishery lost its Marine Stewardship Council eco-label certificate.
Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association chief executive Ian Gatt said: “Hopefully, this new action announced by the EC will provide the spur for both Iceland and the Faroes to return to the negotiating table and so that we can reach a fair and equitable deal.”
Northern isles MP Alistair Carmichael added: “I am relieved that we now have confirmation of this action which is an unfortunate necessity. The Faroe Islands have been repeatedly warned about their reckless approach to fishing and they are now experiencing the consequences of their actions.
“I am hopeful that this decision will be the catalyst that brings the Faroes and Iceland back to the negotiation table so a fair deal can be agreed.”
But the former head of the Faroese mission to the EU, Gunnar Holm-Jacobsen tweeted: “EU plans to impose coercive economic measures against the Faroe Islands after only one round of negotiations.Would EU do the same to Russia?”
Faroe and Iceland have increased their joint share of the north east Atlantic mackerel catch from five to 52 per cent in the last seven years.
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