Fleets boycott Faroe talks

SCOTLAND’S pelagic fleet have joined fishermen from the rest of the European Union by declaring a boycott of Tuesday’s international fisheries meeting in Faroe.

The meeting has been organised by the Nordic Council to discuss a range of issues surrounding the catching of herring and mackerel in the north east Atlantic.

Scottish MEP Struan Stevenson will use the meeting to stress the fury amongst EU fishermen about Faroe and Iceland’s unilateral increase in the mackerel quota, though it is understood there will be no official representation from Brussels or any EU member state.

Scotland’s fishing industry has decided its point can be made more effectively by refusing to co-operate with the two island nations until the current dispute is resolved.

The Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association was due to attend the meeting in the Torshavn but has now given its formal notification of withdrawal.

However the industry is backing Mr Stevenson attending to highlight their concerns.

SPFA chief executive Ian Gatt said: “We want to send a very clear signal to the Faroese and Icelanders that their dangerous and irresponsible decision to significantly increase their mackerel quotas is not something the international community will tolerate.

“It goes against scientific advice and will have a detrimental impact on a stock that has been looked after and sustainably fished by the Scottish fleet. The irresponsible actions of both nations could undo the years of hard work and sacrifice made by the Scottish industry.

“If Iceland and the Faroes do discuss stock management at tomorrow’s meeting, they will be doing so in a vacuum because none of the major stakeholders in the fishery will be there.

“The only way this issue is going to be resolved is through direct talks. We are committed to ensuring a satisfactory deal is struck, but not at any price. It is particularly important that any final agreement ensures that the mackerel stock is properly protected.”

Meanwhile, the Scottish industry will meet with MSPs in Edinburgh on Thursday to brief them on the dispute.