Fishermen meet to plan next move in mackerel quotas war

Published on Friday 10 September 2010 15:22

SCOTTISH fishermen are to hold a mass meeting next week to plan the next stage in their campaign over the escalating "mackerel war" with Iceland and the Faroes.

Last month fishermen mounted two successful quayside blockades at Peterhead to prevent Faroese trawlers from landing huge consignments of mackerel for processing at local fish factories. The protest came after the decision of the two Nordic nations to set massive autonomous quotas for a catch which is worth 135 million to the Scottish pelagic fleet.

They are to discuss the next step in their campaign on Monday at a meeting in Fraserburgh which will be addressed by leaders of both the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen's Association (SPFA) and the Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF).

The meeting is expected to thrash out the policy that will be adopted by fishermen should any more Faroese or Icelandic vessels attempt to land fish into Scotland.

Ian Gatt, the chief executive of the SPFA, said: "It is essential that a fair and equitable deal is reached with Iceland and the Faroes. It is essential that there is a quick resolution to this dispute."

But he stressed: "Any agreement must not compromise the interests of the Scottish fleet and also ensure that the mackerel stock is sustainably harvested in line with scientific advice. The meeting planned in Fraserburgh for this Monday will be a chance for our members to air their views and discuss the next stage in our strategy."

Richard Lochhead, the Scottish Fisheries Minister, also underlined the need for a speedy resolution to the dispute. He explained that Scottish Government officials were taking part in bilateral talks in the Faroe Islands involving EU member states and the Faroese government, with the aim of bringing the Faroes back in to a shared agreement that will help ensure mackerel stocks are fished responsibly. Discussions with Iceland are expected to commence later this month.

He said: "We need all parties around the negotiating table to find a reasonable agreement, therefore it is encouraging that a bilateral meeting between the EU and the Faroes, with the direct involvement of Scottish Government officials, is now underway.

"However, the defiant stance of Iceland is cause for real concern. In attempting to justify their damaging unilateral actions, Iceland have only re-enforced their unwillingness to seek a meaningful compromise."

The mackerel war has been sparked by the decision of the Faroe Islands to set a mackerel quota of 85,000 tonnes for this year - more than three times their previous catch - and Iceland to declare an autonomous quota of 130,000 tonnes.