Joint statement on Mackerel Fishery in the North Atlantic

Lisbeth Berg-Hansen, Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs, and Maria Damanaki, European Union Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, have made a joint statement on Mackerel Fishery in the North Atlantic.

'We are deeply concerned about the irresponsible actions of Faroe Islands and Iceland in setting excessive unilateral quotas for their 2011 mackerel fisheries. 

We are also deeply concerned about The Faroe Islands chartering foreign vessels to catch their unilateral quota, in a clear move away from responsible, modern fisheries management.

These unilateral mackerel quotas far exceed their traditional level since 1999 and they overshoot the total catch recommended by scientists for the whole of the European fishery by almost 50%.  Such an excessive exploitation poses a threat to the health of that important fish stock and it violates our common interest in a sustainable fishery.

We are committed to cooperating closely to avert further damage for the mackerel stocks in the North Atlantic, caused by the unilateral actions of Iceland and the Faroe Islands.  The European Union and Norway are examining all possible options for stopping this damaging exploitation. We intend to coordinate our actions.'

We call on Iceland and the Faroe Islands to return to the negotiating table with a constructive approach and to agree on common fishery arrangements for 2012 that are responsible and sustainable.'