News / Faroe have caught their quota
ACTION to prevent Faroese and Icelandic fishing boats landing mackerel in Scotland will continue until a solution to the ongoing dispute over quota allocation is resolved.
Scottish fishermen meeting in Fraserburgh on Monday were adamant that Faroe should not get away with taking 85,000 tonnes of mackerel from the stock in the north east Atlantic as this would threaten the viability of the Scottish pelagic fleet.
Speaking after the meeting, Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association chief executive Ian Gatt said Scottish fishing communities needed to be protected.
“We are encouraged that the meeting between the European Commission and the Faroes at the end of last week seemed to be productive,” he said.
“These initial encouraging signs now need to be turned into positive action by agreeing a sensible outcome during the October negotiation meeting.
“The Faroese have informed the EC that they have caught their 85,000 tonnes quota. What we must not do is reward the reckless, irresponsible behaviour of Iceland and the Faroes.
“In the meantime Scottish fishermen will continue to protest against any Faroese pelagic landings into Scotland until there has been a successful conclusion to the mackerel dispute.
“A key governmental policy is the protection of our fishing communities. Fishing communities are made up of many industries including boat building and repair, and many other support sectors. A strong processing sector is also paramount to help add value and deliver the catch to market.
“All these important sectors can only function if there are healthy stocks of fish and an entitlement to sustainably catch these fish.
“It is Scotland’s fisheries entitlement for mackerel that is under threat and this is why we will leave no stone unturned in our battle to ensure a fair deal is achieved.”
The Liberal Democrats’ fisheries spokesman, Orkney MSP Liam McArthur, added: “Understandably anger at the actions of Iceland and Faroe Islands remains undiminished. It is vital that this damaging dispute is resolved as soon as possible.
“Nevertheless, if progress can be made with one and not the other, this should be pursued. In the meantime, it should be made abundantly clear to both Iceland and Faroe Islands that their unilateral action threatens their reputation internationally as well as the mackerel stock.”
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