WIREDGOV

The Scottish Government has learned that talks between the EU, Norway, Iceland and Faroes have not led to a break through in the mackerel fishery stalemate.

Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead has labelled the outcome as “disappointing but sadly predictable” as Iceland and the Faroes continue to show little willingness to negotiate and instead pursue excessive mackerel quotas outwith an international agreement.

The meeting on Monday was between EU Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki, Norway’s Fisheries Minister Lisbeth Berg-Hansen and Icelandic Fisheries Minister Steingrímur Sigfússon, while Faroese Fisheries Minister Jacob Vestergaard was a late addition to the talks.

Mr Lochhead said:

“Recent years show that Iceland and the Faroes have a track-record in demonstrating a lack of willingness to compromise and reach a fair deal for mackerel, therefore it is disappointing but sadly predictable that these latest talks have failed to offer a new way forward.

“By initiating these talks, Commissioner Damanaki has demonstrated her personal resolve to finding a solution that will see a sensible deal in place to safeguard the mackerel stock. However, once again diplomacy has failed.

 “It’s unacceptable for any state to compromise the sustainability of a shared fishery by setting hugely inflated quotas. And if we continue to see self-interest and stubbornness as the hallmark of the Iceland and Faroese stances then we need the EU to be equipped to take meaningful action.

“That’s why we need the EU to press on with its long-promised sanction proposals and implement them as soon as possible.”

In February protracted negotiations failed to secure a four-way Coastal States deal for 2012, leading to a third straight year without agreement. New mackerel talks for 2013 are set to commence in October.