Scottish mackerel fishermen have condemned the decision by Iceland to increase their unilaterally declared mackerel quota from 130,000 tonnes to 147,000 tonnes for 2011 branding it as political posturing that could result in serious harm to the health of the stock.
Commenting on the move, Ian Gatt, chief executive of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association, said: “Considering that Iceland never even fished for the species prior to 2005, their decision to significantly increase even further an already grossly over-inflated quota is the height of irresponsibility and could do real damage to a stock that has been sustainably harvested and carefully looked after by the Scottish fleet.
“They have taken this step so as to preserve their percentage share of the total international north-east Atlantic catch based on the quota they set for themselves this year. However, they never even caught the 130,000 tonnes they allocated in 2010 and this moves smacks of desperation and is sheer political posturing.
“Given the amount of mackerel that they took in their own waters in 2010, once has to question whether there will be enough fish left for them to get even close to their 2011 declared quota.
“It is now more essential than ever that the EU imposes trade sanctions on Iceland in response to their irresponsible behaviour.”
Talks aimed at resolving the row over mackerel quotas broke down earlier this month, with the Faroe Islands and Iceland at odds with the EU and Norway over catch levels for 2011.
The EU and Norway plan to catch up to 583,882 tonnes out of a recommended total allowable catch of nearly 650,000 tonnes.
Icelandic officials said the EU and Norway had "disregarded the legitimate interests" of the other coastal states.
