Scotland and Norway unite over mackerel dispute

Scotland and Norway have joined forces to call for an end to the so-called ‘mackerel dispute’ which they say is threatening to punish the responsible actions of Scottish and Norwegian fleets.

First minister Alex Salmond met with Norway’s foreign minister Jonas Gahr Støre this week to discuss a range of issues, including the decision by Iceland and the Faroe Islands to unilaterally award excessive fishing quota for mackerel.

The Faroe Islands recently set a quota for mackerel of 85,000 tonnes for this year – 15 per cent of the recommended global total allowable catch and far in excess of its previous four per cent share. This follows a recent decision by Iceland to give itself a quota of 130,000 tonnes.

This is not only likely to devastate the sustainability of the stock but will also seriously undermine Scotland’s credentials as the first large-scale mackerel fishery in Europe to be accredited by the Marine Stewardship Council, according to Salmond.

“Scotland and Norway share many fisheries interests, a number of North Sea stocks are jointly managed and shared through the annual EU/Norway fisheries bi-laterals,” he says. “And we are in complete agreement that the governments of the Faroe Islands and Iceland have acted irresponsibly and are threatening global mackerel stocks by awarding such excessive quotas.

“The EU and Norway are strongly aligned on this issue having committed to a ten-year deal on mackerel management and shares in January 2010. This partnership will be absolutely vital in tackling Iceland and the Faroes in an effective manner that sends out a strong message to others that while responsible and innovative fisheries practices will be rewarded, those who don’t take conservation seriously will be dealt with in an appropriate manner.

“Because of the considerable sacrifices made by Scotland’s fishermen and other EU member states on the conservation front, including Norway, mackerel is now one of the most sustainable fisheries. However Iceland and the Faroes are running the very real risk of making a mockery of our efforts and must be called to task. This is of great concern to both the Scottish and Norwegian industry and authorities.”