Members of the European Parliament's Committee on Fisheries criticised, on Wednesday 4 September in Brussels, Iceland and Greenland's decisions to increase their mackerel catch unilaterally.
Iceland decided to increase its mackerel catch by 21.5% in 2019 and Greenland by 18%. Russia has taken the same type of decision, the Commission noted.
MEPs asked the Commission what it intends to do to bring these third countries to the negotiating table to achieve better management and allocation of mackerel fishing opportunities.
At the moment, there is a tripartite agreement (EU, Norway and Faroe Islands) on the allocation of the total allowable catch (TAC) for mackerel. Iceland and Greenland, in particular, have not signed this agreement.
Consultations will take place next October between coastal States to extend this agreement for the 2020 quotas and the Commission has expressed the hope that Iceland will join the discussions.
The Commission has talked more about actions to be taken to find common ground with Iceland, rather than sanctions, although this possibility has not been excluded.
Iceland's attitude is “unacceptable”, admitted the Commission’s representative. The Commission is also waiting for scientific advice on the state of the mackerel stock. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)