Brussels, 10/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - At their meeting in London on 6 and 7 of February, the countries concerned (European Union, Iceland, Norway and the Faroe Isles) failed to resolve their differences of opinion over how to divide up the mackerel fishing opportunities in the waters of the north-eastern Atlantic.
Iceland is criticising what it describes as Norway's unreasonable position in calling for an increase in the total allowable catch (TAC) to 1.3 million tonnes, which is nearly 50% more than the volume recommended by the scientific opinion of the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) the 2014. Iceland takes the view that Norway's position contradicts the principle of sustainable management of the stock.
In a press release, Icelandic Minister of Fisheries Sigurdur Ingi Johannsson expresses his “disappointment” that negotiations on mackerel among the coastal states did not result in an agreement between the parties. “We had every reason to believe that this time, the coastal states had a real opportunity to reach an agreement, particularly in view of the last advice on TAC for 2014”, the Icelandic minister said. This scientific opinion authorised an increase of 64% in catch compared to the TAC for 2013. “This increase, however, was not considered sufficient by some coastal states”, he went on. Iceland reproaches Norway for having proposed an increase in the TAC for 2014 which would take it up to 1.3 million tonnes, or “close to 50% in excess of the advice for this year and 140% over the advice for 2013”, states the Icelandic fisheries minister. As far as Iceland is concerned, accepting this increase is out of the question. Reykjavik favours going along with the scientific advice, which would give a TAC of around 890,000 tonnes, but would be prepared to go slightly above this in order to take a step towards Norway's request, an Icelandic source said.
In particular, the negotiations are stumbling over the distribution of the overall TAC between the coastal states. Iceland and the EU reached a joint position on shared stocks in late 2013. “We made substantial concessions (in October) and reached a common understanding with the EU”. Iceland has been strict over sticking to these figures, a source in Iceland explained.
Timetables. The parties have not formally decided on the date for negotiations to start up again. This week, the EU and Norway are to hold bilateral discussions in Bergen on various fishing-related subjects. This means that negotiations between the coastal states could not theoretically resume this week. The Commission takes the view that most of the problems were resolved at the meeting in London and that the negotiations, which have been adjourned, should resume “shortly”. (LC/transl.fl)