The NPWG has issued an unequivocal message to the European Commission and asked to take stern actions at the highest level to stop the unregulated fishing of North East Atlantic mackerel by Icelandic vessels before the stock suffers serious damage. It is said that the members of NPWG has met with the European Commission in London on 6 October 2008 to discuss a range of issues in the lead up to the annual TAC and quota negotiations for pelagic stocks which start on 20 October.
The meeting had top moist agenda, which was the unacceptably high level of mackerel landings, principally as a bycatch, in the Icelandic herring fishery this summer most of which was reduced to meal and oil. NPWG chairman, Derek Duthie, informed that the declared landings of mackerel this year from the Icelandic fleet reached 108,000 tonnes. He added that the Icelandic authorities must be reminded of their obligations under the UN Charter for Responsible Fishing.
Duthie appealed Commissioner Borg to intervene in a matter of such importance to the Community fleet as this. It is completely irresponsible of the Icelandic administration to allow an unregulated fishery to continue in an otherwise well-managed stock and Commissioner Borg must act to have this slaughter stopped immediately.
