Iceland Hits Back At Irresponsible Fishing Claims

"Iceland has every right to fish for mackerel within the Icelandic jurisdiction just as Norway and the EU have the right to fish for mackerel in their respective jurisdictions. Iceland’s mackerel fishery is therefore equally as legitimate as the EU’s and Norway’s.

"As Iceland was not admitted to negotiations for the mackerel fishery of 2010, Iceland set itself a unilateral quota of 130 000 tonnes; this was done prior to the completion of negotiations and decisions by other parties so that they could take responsible account of Iceland’s quota in their own decisions if they wished.

The statement said: "There is no comprehensive agreement for the integrated management of the mackerel fishery. Norway and the EU have seriously undermined the credibility of their own management scheme for more than a decade by unlawfully blocking the participation of Iceland in mackerel negotiations. The current lack of an agreement for the integrated management of mackerel is a direct consequence of this regrettable behaviour by Norway and the EU."

"There is no comprehensive agreement for the integrated management of the mackerel fishery. Norway and the EU have seriously undermined the credibility of their own management scheme for more than a decade by unlawfully blocking the participation of Iceland in mackerel negotiations. The current lack of an agreement for the integrated management of mackerel is a direct consequence of this regrettable behaviour by Norway and the EU.

"The Icelandic mackerel fishery is a legal and responsible fishery. It is absurd to speak of irresponsible fishery. The fishery is based on the same laws and rules as apply to other fishing by Icelandic vessels and the catch is reported and weighed at landing.

"Negotiations for the mackerel fishery of 2011, with Icelandic participation, are planned for the coming weeks. A comprehensive agreement of the mackerel fishery is the joint responsiblity of all parties involved."