Commenting on the move, Ian Gatt, chief executive of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association, said: “Considering that Iceland never even fished for the species prior to 2005, their decision to significantly increase even further an already grossly over-inflated quota is the height of irresponsibility and could do real damage to a stock that has been sustainably harvested and carefully looked after by the Scottish fleet.
“They have taken this step so as to preserve their percentage share of the total international north-east Atlantic catch based on the quota they set for themselves this year, however, they never even caught the 130,000 tonnes they allocated in 2010 and this moves smacks of desperation and is sheer political posturing.
“Given the amount of mackerel that they took in their own waters in 2010, once has to question whether there will be enough fish left for them to get even close to their 2011 declared quota.
“It is now more essential than ever that the EU imposes trade sanctions on Iceland in response to their irresponsible behaviour.”
Iceland Sets Irresponsible Mackerel Quota
ICELAND- Iceland has increased their unilaterally declared mackerel quota from 130,000 tonnes to 147,000 tonnes for 2011.
