19.04.2013 · Fiskivinnu- og samferðslumálaráðið
Vestergaard concerned about Damanaki’s misleading and incomplete information to the European Parliament
Press Statement
Ministry of Fisheries
Tórshavn, 19 April 2013
In a letter to Maria Damanaki Member of the European Commission, the Minister of Fisheries of the Faroe Islands Jacob Vestergaard expressed his concerns about Damanaki’s misleading and incomplete information to the European Parliament as far as the issue of the Atlanto-Scandian herring is concerned.
In describing the process that led to a non-conclusive coastal state arrangement on the herring for 2013, Commissioner Damanaki indicated to MEPs that the Faroe Islands have left the multilateral discussions, or “left the table”, as she puts it.
The Faroe Islands did not leave the coastal state consultations. They were in fact excluded from discussions when the four other parties, including the EU, left the conference room in which the negotiations were being held to continue their discussions elsewhere.
Having in mind that the Faroe Islands are a coastal state in regard to the Atlanto-Scandian herring, such an exclusion of the Faroe Islands from the negotiations is inconsistent with international law.
Mr Vestergaard expressed his hope that the EU will recognise the importance of ensuring an equitable and inclusive joint management of the Atlanto-Scandian herring among all coastal states.