Alex Salmond calls for strong EU action in dispute over mackerel quotas

European Union chiefs must take a strong stand against "irresponsible" moves by Iceland and the Faroe Islands to boost their fish quotas, Alex Salmond has claimed.

The mackerel row could even be an obstacle to Iceland joining the EU, he told MSPs during First Minister's Questions.

The Faroe Islands set a mackerel quota of 85,000 tonnes for this year, more than three times their previous total allowable catch, according to the Scottish Government. This followed a decision by Iceland to set a quota of 130,000 tonnes, prompting concerns it could destabilise global mackerel stocks.

Mr Salmond said: "The Scottish Government is leading the way in calling for a strong response from Europe to the irresponsible behaviour shown by both Iceland and the Faroe Islands."

He said he had raised the issue during a recent meeting with the Norwegian foreign minister and went on to tell MSPs: "Scotland and Norway are the two fishing communities most immediately affected.

"We agreed to press the European commissioner to continue to take a strong stand against this action. The fisheries secretary is in regular contact with the commissioner, who has been assured this is a top priority for the European Union.

"And it's being brought to the forefront of the Icelandic accession negotiations."

He hoped for a deal that would be fair to Scotland and Norway.

Mackerel is worth 135 million a year to the Scottish economy and is the fleet's most valuable stock.