Wednesday, 9th June 2010
Cheeky Icelanders pushing their luck on fishing rights
A Scottish Euro MP has sought reassurance from the EU’s fishing supremo that Europe will not cave in to Iceland and the Faeroe Islands over disputed mackerel stocks.
The two Atlantic nations are threatening to unilaterally extend their catch limits on mackerel to 130,000 tonnes each, alleging that a major concentration of the fish have moved North into their territorial waters.
Addressing Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki at a special seminar in the European Parliament, Brussels, Struan Stevenson said:
“If Iceland and the Faeroes press ahead, it will run a cart and horses through our existing agreements on access to this stock and could destroy the fishery. It would be completely irresponsible for Iceland and the Faeroes to extend their catch in this way and would amount virtually to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
“I am amazed that Iceland is asking us to roll out the red carpet to welcome them as members of the EU, while in return they default on their debts, close our airspace for weeks with volcanic ash and now seek to destroy our mackerel fishery!
“This is outrageous and I trust the Commission will tell them firmly that the EU will not give way on this, there will be no change to the status quo and we will not accept such irresponsible behaviour?”
In her reply to Mr Stevenson Commissioner Damanaki said:
“If Iceland want to join the EU and have access to our resources they must obey our rules.”
Mrs Damanaki also confirmed that she was shortly due to visit Iceland at which time this matter would be discussed at the highest level.
