Brussels, 03/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - There has still been no progress in the discussions, held in Bergen (Norway) between 28 and 31 January, between the coastal states on the management of mackerel stocks in the waters of the north-east Atlantic. However, all other conditions had been met to allow the parties (European Union, Faroe Isles, Iceland and Norway) to reach a fair and balanced agreement on the division of the mackerel stocks, the Commission regretted in a press release.
The Commission says that there was “a very small percentage difference in the positions of the parties”, which it feels should be possible to be overcome. “It is regrettable that the parties were unable to show sufficient flexibility at this stage to allow for the finalisation of these negotiations today”, the Commission continues. “A difference of 0.8% of share (of stock) remains to be found. The EU has been the most flexible party in these negotiations and has done its utmost to broker a balanced and fair deal”, commented Maria Damanaki, European Commissioner for Fisheries. She laments the “entrenched” positions of some of the parties, which are making it impossible to reach a solution.
The coastal states are to meet again this week in London to discuss management measures for stocks of blue whiting and atlanto-scandian herring (the latter being a bone of contention between the EU and the Faroe Isles). (LC/transl.fl)