Negotiations on the division of the mackerel quota in the North Atlantic in 2012 between the European Union, Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Island commenced in London on Wednesday. The countries have been unable to resolve their disputes on the issue so far.
Fishing in Iceland. Copyright: Icelandic Photo Agency.
The European Commission is currently preparing a proposal stating that countries which issue unilateral quotas from the mackerel stock, as Iceland and the Faroe Islands have done, can be subject to sanctions, Morgunbladid references Agence Europe press agency.
The European Commission is hoping to have the proposal approved before the end of 2011. Among sanctions suggested is the ban on import of certain seafood products to the EU from the countries issuing unilateral quotas.
However, Icelandic authorities have pointed out that such measures are at odds with the EEA agreement and other international treaties.
In past years, the shared mackerel stock has increased its presence in Icelandic and Faroese waters, which has prompted the two countries’ demand for a larger share of the quota, a demand their negotiation parties have been unwilling to accept.
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