Norwegian fishing vessel operators’ federation Fiskebåt has let fly with a broadside at the European Union for the EU Commission’s proposals to revise the 2012 regulation designed to address third countries that allow ‘non-sustainable fishing practices on fish stocks of common interest.’
In a remarkable set of accusations in a statement by chairman Christian Strand Halstensen and director Audun Maråk, Fiskebåt accuses the European Union of Trump-syle tactics to stamp its own demands in defiance of international law and asserts the EU seeks to flout any rules at its own discretion.
‘The EU is copying Trump,’ they state, adding that ‘Norway does not demand higher shares of common fish stocks than international distribution principles dictate.’
This statement is released just days after Coastal States yet again failed to reach agreement on management of shared pelagic stocks in the North-East Atlantic, after which some European delegates commented that the only party in the room taking the mackerel situation seriously was the EU delegation – while also describing the position taken by Norway, the UK and the Faroe Islands as a ‘quota grab.’
Fiskebåt’s statement reads like a pre-emptive strike ahead of rising tensions among other coastal states over the long-running saga of many years of stalemate among the coastal states.
‘If the EU imposes unjustified and unjustified sanctions against Norway, it will be a very unfriendly act,’ Fiskebåt’s representatives state, adding that ‘if the EU sanctions Norway to obtain unfair advantages related to the management and distribution of common fishery resources, it will not be accepted by the Norwegian side, and could have consequences for areas of vital interest to the EU.’
The European Union set out some weeks ago that its revision of Regulation (EU) 1026/2012 is ‘to clarify the conditions needed to identify a country allowing non-sustainable fishing practices on fish stocks of common interest. Countries identified as such can ultimately be sanctioned by EU restrictive measures, including import bans.’
‘It also aims at ensuring fair competition between operators in the EU and in non-EU countries,’ the EU states.
‘The proposed changes aim to strengthen the regulation by providing clearer guidelines for triggering restrictive measures. This will ensure that non-EU countries are aware of the specific conditions under which their fishing practices may lead to EU sanctions.’
The Norwegian vessel operators are clearly setting out their position vigorously and early, both to the EU and to the recently-elected Norwegian government, making it clear it expects a robust response in the event of tensions boiling over at some point.
This also comes just as rumours circulate of recommendations to come for drastic reductions in next year’s quotas for mackerel, and for other key pelagic stocks.
Or maybe this has nothing to do with mackerel…?
