Call for mackerel mediator

SCOTTISH fisheries secretary Richard Lochhead has called for an international mediator to be appointed to help solve the mackerel dispute between the EU/Norway and the island states of Faroe and Iceland.

Speaking ahead of Monday’s fisheries council in Brussels, Lochhead added that the Scottish Government also continued to push for sanctions against Faroe and Iceland

“We continue to press for sanctions to help bring all countries back to the table – but if the impasse is to be broken, this ‘table’ might have to look different.

“I would therefore be willing to support new approaches if that will help deliver a resolution to this long-stagnant dispute.

“The appointment of an international mediator could help broker an agreement to end this dispute in an objective and neutral fashion. 

“I want sanctions in place that help Iceland and the Faroe Islands realise they can’t get away with overfishing international stocks – stocks that are only healthy due to other countries’ responsible measures,” Lochhead said.