Scottish fishermen would back EU fishing embargo

Scottish fishermen would back EU fishing embargo:Scottish fishermen have welcomed the European Union’s threat to subject Icelandic and Faroese mackerel to an EU-wide embargo as the row over fishing quotas deepens.
 

The countries have unilaterally announced big rises to their catches, in defiance of inter-national agreements that set strict limits on the tonnage of fish that can be landed. Scottish fishermen say stocks could be devastated and have accused the island nations of conducting a “massive mugging.”


Today Maria Damanaki, Europe’s fisheries commissioner, is expected to announce whether she will follow through with a threat of sanctions issued on Monday after the two countries walked out of talks to agree new quotas.

The Greek’s verbal warning was ambiguous but penalties could include a Europe-wide ban on the sale of North Atlantic islands’ fish.

Politicians have welcomed the commissioner’s tough line, in one of the worst rows since the Cod Wars of the 1970s, when British warships were deployed to defend Scottish fishing vessels in Icelandic waters.

However, fish processors dependent on foreign custom warn that they will become casualties, should the mackerel war escalate beyond an exchange of withering language.

Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fisherman’s Federation, who is in Brussels for talks at the European Council of Fisheries and Agriculture, said Iceland is already exceed-ing its mackerel quota by a “monstrous” 25%.
He said: “Iceland and the Faroes have both decided, ‘We’re just going to have some of this’. It’s outside international agreements and it’s outside scientific advice.

“We are now at a stalemate. Both of those countries have declared ‘I’m just going to carry on catching it and sod you lot’.”

He called on Ms Damanaki to follow through on her threat, adding: “The words are welcome. We now wait for the action.”

Earlier this year, angry Scottish fishermen twice prevented a Faroese vessel landing mackerel at Peterhead, at a cost of £400,000 to the captain.

Mr Armstrong said there is anger among trawlermen and a repeat of such scenes was possible. He added that the deployment of Royal Navy craft was not on the cards.

Richard Lochhead, the Scottish Fisheries Secretary, said he was “extremely frustrated” by the breakdown in talks. I am pleased Ms Damanaki has confirmed she will endeavour to take strong action and put in place the necessary tools to apply meaningful sanctions. We cannot reward reckless behaviour.”

Karen Gillon, Labour fisheries spokesman, also backed sanctions. She said: “Ignoring catch levels is irresponsible and will threaten the sustainability of mackerel stocks, which are vital for Scottish fishing fleets.

“The EU must act to prevent the two countries damaging the industry in Scotland.”

Scots seafarers catch £64 million worth of mackerel a year. Under this round of talks, they are entitled to a catch of 190,000 tonnes in 2011, up 14,000. Quotas are determined by each country’s historic catch size and scientific advice on the size of stocks.

Iceland and Faroe Islands are entitled to a much smaller slice.

Dockside fish workers fear an embargo could spark retaliation by Icelandic and Faroese governments, barring Scottish vessels from trawling for white stock in their waters and boycotting Scottish processing docks.

Will Clark, of the Peterhead and Fraserburgh Fish Processors’ Association, said the consequences would be “completely catastrophic”.

“There is real concern. There’s more at stake than just the pelagic fish industry.”

He said fishermen’s blockades of foreign ships, as happened in August to the Faroese vessel Jupiter, would hurt local fish processors. The industry employs 60% of the people of Fraserburgh.

“We can really sympathise with our fishermen, but the person waiting to receive that fish had 220 staff standing about doing nothing. We are hoping for common sense to prevail.”

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