Iceland’s Ministry of Fisheries has re-scheduled the opening of the lumpfish roe season, leaving his decision to delay the season by two weeks, and announcing the change only days before the fishery was due to open today on the 20th of March.
According to the Ministry, the decision was based on advice from the Marine Research Institute (MRI) that an unacceptably high level of cod by-catch would be taken in the nets used for targeting lumpfish.
Örn Pálsson at the National Association of Small Boat Owners (NASBO) said that leaving the decision so late in the day has resulted in financial losses for the industry, as crews have been taken on, boats have been rigged for lumpfish and are now idle, while processors had arranged with staff to work extra shifts over the Easter period.
‘The fishermen find the Minister’s methods extremely disruptive, and display a complete lack of respect,’ he said.
Since then, NASBO has been able to meet the Minister, who agreed to shift the season’s start date closer to the original 20th March, and refused a meeting with NASBO on the grounds that the date had been adjusted and the Minister saw no reason to review his decision.
NASBO and its lumpfish committee have made clear their dissatisfaction with the approach to this issue of the Minister, the Ministry and the MRI, and their comments are not thought to be suitable to appear in print. Meanwhile, the small boat fleet remains tied up, waiting for the season’s delayed opening.
