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14 December 2010
Last updated at 01:42 ET
Europe is preparing the way for sanctions against Iceland and the Faroe Islands over the so-called "mackerel wars", BBC Scotland has learned.
The two countries announced plans for big rises in their mackerel catches, but Scottish fishermen said stocks would be devastated if that happened.
Europe's Fisheries Commissioner, Maria Damanaki, is now believed to be instigating changes in regulations.
That would result in sanctions against the two countries being implemented.
Talks held last week failed to resolve the on-going dispute.
The meeting, with the EU and Norway in Copenhagen, ended with the Faroese refusing to sign a deal that would set mackerel catch levels for 2011.
Iceland and the Faroes sparked outrage when they unilaterally set quotas in their own waters.
Fishermen's leaders have called for a Europe-wide ban on the landing of mackerel from Iceland and the Faroes, until there is a negotiated settlement.
Earlier this year angry Scottish fishermen prevented a Faroese vessel from landing mackerel at Peterhead.
The Scottish government said the lack of a deal could be disastrous for stocks.
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The two countries announced plans for big rises in their mackerel catches, but Scottish fishermen said stocks would be devastated if that happened.
Europe's Fisheries Commissioner, Maria Damanaki, is now believed to be instigating changes in regulations.
That would result in sanctions against the two countries being implemented.
Talks held last week failed to resolve the on-going dispute.
The meeting, with the EU and Norway in Copenhagen, ended with the Faroese refusing to sign a deal that would set mackerel catch levels for 2011.
Iceland and the Faroes sparked outrage when they unilaterally set quotas in their own waters.
Fishermen's leaders have called for a Europe-wide ban on the landing of mackerel from Iceland and the Faroes, until there is a negotiated settlement.
Earlier this year angry Scottish fishermen prevented a Faroese vessel from landing mackerel at Peterhead.
The Scottish government said the lack of a deal could be disastrous for stocks.
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