Representing & Supporting Shetland’s Fishermen

Outrage at EU-Faroe mackerel deal
December 13th 2018

Scottish fishermen have voiced their outrage at a deal brokered by the European Commission that will allow Faroese vessels to catch a third of their mackerel quota in UK waters.

Despite a publicly-stated promise to review the arrangement and consult industry on an improved framework, the EU and Faroe have simply rolled over last year’s deal.

It grants Faroese vessels 24,690 tonnes of mackerel from the waters around Shetland – far more than is allocated to the island’s own eight pelagic boats.

Ian Gatt, chief executive of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association, said: “This is an utter disgrace.

“The Commission has gone back on its word to review this arrangement in light of what UK industry and government are saying to them and hold annual negotiations.

“It is imperative that this issue is raised by UK and Scottish ministers at the December Fisheries Council.”

Simon Collins, executive officer of the Shetland Fishermen’s Association, added: “Mackerel is a key priority for the UK and Scotland, yet the EU has once again put the interests of a non-member fishing nation ahead of its own, underlining starkly why the sooner the UK is out of the Common Fisheries Policy the better.

“This must be revisited and a proper solution taking into account the imbalance of the arrangement needs to be found.”