The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) and the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association (SPFA) have condemned the Faroese for deciding to withdraw from international sharing arrangements for the Atlanto-Scandian herring stock this week.
At talks in London on Tuesday, the Faroe Islands made the decision to walk away from the international management of the stock and instead set its own unilateral quota – this is despite the fact that the other parties, the EU, Iceland, Norway and Russia have agreed to continue to participate collectively under the agreed management plan.
Ian Gatt, chief executive, SPFA, said: “As is already the case with mackerel, the Faroese seem intent on persuing their own national interests with no concern for the health of the stock or acknowledgement of the need for the fishery to be controlled by an international management plan.”
He added: “It is essential that the EU now moves quickly to implement sanctions against the Faroese for their unsustainable actions and ensure that they are denied access to lucrative EU markets for their fish products.”
A total allowable catch of 619,000 tonnes has been set for the fishery this year under the auspices of the international sharing arrangement. Despite the Faroese withdrawal, the other countries have still set aside the normal quota for the country of nearly 32,000 tonnes.
