The National Association of Small Boat Owners (Landssamband smábátaeigenda – NASBO) has requested in a formal letter to Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir the opportunity to lease 30,000 tonnes of cod quota from the state.
NASBO describes this an offer to the government, stating that this use of national resources would put funds into the government’s coffers, while also strengthening the coastal fleet’s working environment.
The decision to make this offer to the authorities was taken at the recent NASBO annual general meeting.
‘The Association proposes to pay four billion ISK (approx €27 million) for this cod, with payment levied directly from vessels as they land, or via fish markets. The proposal is for by-catch of other species to be paid for with 25% of the catch value accruing to the state,’ a NASBO representative commented.
‘In addition to this being a substantial boost for employment in some of the country’s more fragile communities, many of which are close to abundant fishing grounds, this offer also supports giving a greater weight to environmentally friendly fisheries.’
