Scots mackerel fishermen have welcomed the joint statement issued by Maria Damanaki and Lisbeth Berg-Hansen that all options are being examined to stop the ‘damaging exploitation’ of mackerel by Iceland and the Faroes.
The statement, which was issued after EU and Norwegian mackerel fishermen met with Commissioner Damanaki on 25 July in Brussels, also called upon Iceland and the Faroe Islands to return to the negotiating table with a constructive approach and to agree on common fishery arrangements for 2012 that are responsible and sustainable.
Ian Gatt, chief executive of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association said: “We welcome this immediate response from the EU and Norway following our meeting, which is a positive statement of intent. The north-east Atlantic mackerel stock is an incredibly precious resource and it is vital that Iceland and the Faroes return to the negotiating table to find a sensible resolution that ensures the sustainability of the fishery.”
