27 January 2012
Commenting on the failure today (27 January)at talks in Bergen, Norway, to reach an international management agreement on north-east Atlantic mackerel stocks, Ian Gatt, chief executive of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association said:
“We are disappointed that yet again the intransigence of Iceland and the Faroes has resulted in further deadlock in achieving a sensible international agreement for this incredibly important fishery to Scotland.
“It is apparent that the EU and Norway are continually making fresh offers to try and achieve a breakthrough, but both Iceland and the Faroes are refusing to move an inch from their position.
“We are meeting with Scottish Fisheries Minister Richard Lochhead next week and we will be impressing upon him that the focus should now be on putting in place the EU sanction proposal arrangements against Iceland and the Faroes , as this now seems to be the only option left that might make both countries adopt a more realistic stance in the negotiations.”
A fresh round of talks between the EU and Norway on one side, and Iceland and the Faroes on the other, are due to resume again in early February.
Ends
More information:
Ian Gatt, SPFA, M: 07803 041021
Keith Broomfield, Tel: 01259 742575, M: 07890 781151.
