Constructive first round of mackerel negotiations in London

The Faroe Islands convened a meeting with EU, Norway and Iceland in London this week to begin negotiations between officials on an agreement for the management of mackerel in 2011. Although a final agreement was not reached, it was decided to meet again at the end of the month to continue consultations.

“I am pleased that the talks in London have been conducted in a constructive and cooperative spirit, and that there is a genuine desire on all sides to find a lasting solution“, said Minister of Fisheries, Jacob Vestergaard. He underlined the need for negotiators to take the quality time necessary to ensure a fair and balanced agreement for the future.

Mackerel and other shared pelagic fish stocks in the Northeast Atlantic have vital importance for the Faroe Islands, where fisheries are the mainstay of the national economy. In the absence of a joint international management arrangement for the stock this year, the Faroe Islands decided to limit mackerel fisheries by the Faroese fleet to 85,000 tonnes, part of which is exchanged with other nations through bilateral fisheries agreements, with a portion also set aside for dedicated research on mackerel in Faroese waters. Other coastal states have also set limits on their respective mackerel fisheries for 2010. Together these unilateral fishing limits far exceed the total catch level recommended by ICES.

The latest advice from ICES (the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea) indicates that the mackerel stock is in good shape. A joint ecosystem survey carried out by research institutes in the Faroes, Norway and Iceland this summer has provided new information on the distribution and abundance of mackerel further west and north than previously measured.  

“The continued growth in the mackerel stock is encouraging. But an agreed arrangement between the coastal states for the joint management of this valuable resource is necessary if we are to maintain a healthy and profitable mackerel stock for future”, said Mr Vestergaard.