The reciprocal access agreement struck between the EU and the Faroe Islands hasn’t been universally welcomed, and Scottish fishermen’s organisations are furious at the outcome that allows the Faroese fleet to catch a third of its mackerel quota in EU waters.
According to the Shetland Fishermen’s Association, next year the Faroese fleet can take 24,690 tonnes of mackerel from Shetland waters; more than is available for the eight Shetland-based pelagic vessels.
‘It is imperative that this issue is raised by UK and Scottish ministers at the December Fisheries Council,’ said
Simon Collins, executive officer of the Shetland Fishermen’s Association.
‘Mackerel is a key priority for the UK and Scotland, yet the EU has once again put the interests of a non-member fishing nation ahead of its own, underlining starkly why the sooner the UK is out of the Common Fisheries Policy the better. This must be revisited and a proper solution taking into account the imbalance of the arrangement needs to be found.’
Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association chief executive Ian Gatt stated that in spite a public promise to review the arrangement and consult industry on an improved framework, the EU and Faroe have simply rolled over last year’s deal.
‘This is an utter disgrace,’ he said. ‘The Commission has gone back on its word to review this arrangement in light of what UK industry and government are saying to them and hold annual negotiations.’
