mackerel landing ban hints by Damanaki:THE European Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki has hinted that she is looking at banning Icelandic and Faroese vessels landing mackerel at European Union ports. But a total ban on all Icelandic fish, including cod and haddock, has been ruled out, at least for the time being.
The move would be in retaliation at the two countries' refusal to compromise on mackerel catch levels. Iceland and the Faroe Islands have set themselves unilateral quotas of 130,000 tons and 85,000 tons respectively which the EU and Norway says threatens stocks. They have threatened to raise those quotas even further next year. It has also been hinted that Iceland's application to join the EU could be blocked.
According to one EU source, Maria Damanaki told fisheries ministers meeting in Brussels yesterday she was considering invoking laws which would allow member states to refuse landings of mackerel from Icelandic vessels in EU ports. Norway would be expected to take similar action.
Three months ago a Faroese boat carrying mackerel was turned away from Peterhead harbour following a demonstration by angry fishermen. The action, although not strictly legal, brought little condemnation from official sources at the time, but it did bring a lot of support from Scottish politicians and fishing leaders.
Maria Damanaki's plan is certain to be welcomed in Scotland where fishermen fear for mackerel stocks if Iceland and the Faroese continue to set large quotas.
Iceland argues that changing climate conditions have led to a large influx of mackerel - over one million tons - migrating into its exclusive economic zone and, therefore, they have the right to catch it.
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