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.
After five previous rounds of negotiation, the EU, Norway and the Faroe Islands have agreed on a division of mackerel quotas for 2019, with a 20% reduction in catches compared to the 2018 level. Previous negotiations also included Russia, Iceland and Greenland, but no agreement was reached on the quota split between individual states.
This year’s mackerel season has been different to previous years, and for east coast company Síldarvinnslan the season began with a landing on the 19th of July, and fishing has been patchy at intervals, with much of the activity in international waters.
A Norwegian whitefish trawler had an unusual haul while fishing south-east of the Kvitebjørn oil field around 61°N, with a 30 tonne haul of mackerel in a standard bottom trawl.
MMC First Process has developed a brine freezing system for mackerel that halves energy consumption and produces mackerel that is better suited for further processing.
The ICES perception of the stock is contrary to that witnessed by fishermen on the fishing grounds, according to Ian Gatt, chief executive of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association, commenting on the news that ICES advises a cut in the 2019 mackerel catch.
The decision by ICES to advice a 42% reduction in mackerel quotas for next year has triggered an angry response from the Norwegian industry. The wider industry is unable to accept that this is a reasonable reduction considering the extent of mackerel distribution across the North Atlantic.
Fishing has been good on mackerel in the international zone between Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands in the last few days.
Results of the ISSSNS joint pelagic survey carried out by Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands from 30th of June to 6th August have been released, and indicate a drop in the mackerel population, with the densest concentrations observed in the Norwegian Sea.
Most of the Icelandic fleet’s fishing for mackerel is now in international waters just beyond the 200 mile limit as a heavy migration of herring in the Hvalbakur area has made fishing for mackerel difficult in home waters.