Coastal States agree to Faroese proposal for a scientific working group on Atlanto-Scandian herring.

The Government of the Faroes is pleased with the agreement reached between coastal States at the meeting in London, 2-3 September on the Faroese proposal to establish a scientific working group on the zonal attachment of Atlanto-Scandian Herring. The Faroe Islands Minister of Fisheries, Mr Jacob Vestergaard states in this regard that “this decision is an important first step to ensure a joint management arrangement of the Atlanto-Scandian herring. Joint management is a prerequisite for sustainable fisheries of the stock, although the negotiations were dealt a serious blow by the recent adoption of the EU’s coercive economic measures.”

 

Marine scientists from the coastal States have already set out a proposal for the terms of reference of the working group, which has been supported by all the delegations – and now only requires the approval of national governments.

 

It is clear that the EU has seriously compromised these important negotiations by adopting coercive economic measures against the Faroe Islands. Nevertheless, Minister Vestergaard emphasises the Faroe Islands’ commitment to cooperating with the other coastal States, and further stresses: “I hope that the coastal States realize the importance of conducting sincere negotiations in order to reach an interim joint management arrangement, pending the work being undertaken by the scientific working group which will be established at the forthcoming October meeting”.

 

 

For further contact, Herluf Sigvaldsson, Head of Delegation, +298 55 32 49