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18 December 2010
Last updated at 10:24 ET
Scottish fishermen have condemned a decision by Iceland to increase its mackerel quota unilaterally by nearly 17,000 tonnes next year.
The move is the latest twist in the so-called "mackerel wars" that have placed Iceland and the Faroe Islands at odds with the European Union and Norway.
Iceland has set a 2011 quota of 146,818 tonnes, up from 130,000 this year.
The Scottish Pelagic Fishermen's Association said the move could result in serious harm to the health of stock.
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.
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Icelandic negotiator Tomas Heidar told the BBC Scotland news website his country's quota for 2011 ensured an unchanged share of 16%-17% for Iceland in mackerel fisheries next year.
He said the decision by the EU and Norway to take more than 90% of the total allowable catch recommended by scientists was "totally unjustified" and amounted to a decision to overfish mackerel next year.
He added: "The EU and Norway are not the sole owners of the mackerel stock and by taking almost all the recommended total allowable catch, they disregard the legitimate interests of the other two coastal states, Iceland and the Faroe Islands, as well as the interests of Russia."
'Damage stocks' But the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen's Association said it condemned Iceland's move.
Chief executive Ian Gatt commented: "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."
He added: "However, they never even caught the 130,000 tonnes they allocated in 2010 and this move smacks of desperation and is sheer political posturing."
Icelandic officials have not ruled out finding a solution to the mackerel row.
Mr Heidar said: "We remain committed to finding, in co-operation with the other coastal states, a fair solution on the allocation of mackerel that takes into account the legitimate interests of all the parties."
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The move is the latest twist in the so-called "mackerel wars" that have placed Iceland and the Faroe Islands at odds with the European Union and Norway.
Iceland has set a 2011 quota of 146,818 tonnes, up from 130,000 this year.
The Scottish Pelagic Fishermen's Association said the move could result in serious harm to the health of stock.
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.
Continue reading the main story “Start Quote
This move smacks of desperation and is sheer political posturing”
End Quote
Ian Gatt
SPFA chief executive
Icelandic negotiator Tomas Heidar told the BBC Scotland news website his country's quota for 2011 ensured an unchanged share of 16%-17% for Iceland in mackerel fisheries next year.
He said the decision by the EU and Norway to take more than 90% of the total allowable catch recommended by scientists was "totally unjustified" and amounted to a decision to overfish mackerel next year.
He added: "The EU and Norway are not the sole owners of the mackerel stock and by taking almost all the recommended total allowable catch, they disregard the legitimate interests of the other two coastal states, Iceland and the Faroe Islands, as well as the interests of Russia."
'Damage stocks' But the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen's Association said it condemned Iceland's move.
Chief executive Ian Gatt commented: "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."
He added: "However, they never even caught the 130,000 tonnes they allocated in 2010 and this move smacks of desperation and is sheer political posturing."
Icelandic officials have not ruled out finding a solution to the mackerel row.
Mr Heidar said: "We remain committed to finding, in co-operation with the other coastal states, a fair solution on the allocation of mackerel that takes into account the legitimate interests of all the parties."
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