Iceland’s Minister of Fisheries Kristján Thór Júlíusson and his UK counterpart Victoria Prentis have signed a Memorandum of Understanding concerning future co-operation concerning fisheries.
The MoU was signed during a video conference and it sets outa framework for an Iceland-UK dialogue on fisheries for both nations to share best practice and to co-operate on issues including innovation and food waste reduction. Businesses will be able to exchange knowledge on the adoption of new technologies and practices.
‘Britain is an important market for many Icelandic companies and the British government is an important partner for us in many international organisations. I’m convinced that this Memorandum of Understanding is the start of a very good cooperation,’ Kristján Thór Júlíusson said.
‘With this MoU we are ensuring that Britain’s exit from the European Union enhances further the good co-operation Iceland has had with the United Kingdom. There is clear mutual interest in the two countries having close co-ordination and co-operation regarding fisheries.’
No binding fisheries management regulations are to be set as a result of this co-operative initiative , as there are no stocks shared exclusively between Icelandic and UK waters.
Co-operation is expected to extend to international for a such as NEAFC and the FAO, and the MoU confirms the commitments both the UK and Iceland made within the UK-Iceland Joint Vision for 2030 that was signed this year.
As part of this vision, the UK and Iceland recognise the need to promote responsible fisheries to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of marine resources, and endeavour to use a science-based approach to fisheries and aquaculture management in order to minimise the impacts on the marine environment.
‘This agreement demonstrates the strong relationship between our two nations on matters including trade and fisheries. I would like to thank our Icelandic counterparts for the constructive approach they have adopted throughout these negotiations,’ said UK Fisheries Minister Victoria Prentis.
‘We have already seen the potential of working together given the number of shared issues and objectives our countries have on fishery management, and we look forward to continuing this constructive dialogue.’
