The European Commission has stressed the need for efforts to continue in breaking the deadlock over the North-East Atlantic mackerel fishery, and expressed its regret that the latest round of consulations have failed to make progress.
As a chair of the coastal states consultations on mackerel, on On 5-6th March, the EU called for a meeting with a view to continuing discussions towards a comprehensive sharing arrangement and ensuring the sustainable management of this ailing fishery.
An EU Commission representative commented that no progress could be made despite prior assurances from several of the parties involved that they would show constructive flexibility, and stated that as chair, the EU approached the negotiations with a view to facilitating an agreement, showing openness and flexibility.
‘The EU has consistently demonstrated its commitment to its obligations as a coastal state in line with the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Throughout the consultations over the last five years, the EU has been a strong advocate for sustainability and for a responsible management of the stock. In particular, the EU has been the only party consistently raising concerns about the need to respect the scientific advice provided by ICES and to limit the overfishing by Russia,’ the EU Commission representative said.
‘While this round of consultations is a missed opportunity, the Commission will continue to work constructively and with a spirit of flexibility towards a solution which recognises the legitimate interests of the EU, as well as Greenland, taking into account that the EU remains the only party that has consistently set its legitimate share in a stable manner.’
The Commission states that it eexpects all partners to take immediate and meaningful steps to support the rebuilding of the stock.
‘Without such action, both the resource and the sector that depend on it remain at risk.’
