The meeting between the Coastal States of Iceland, Norway, the Faroe Islands and the EU
took place in London 22-24 October 2012.
Once again, the meeting was inconclusive, with Norway and the EU blaming Iceland and the Faroes' lack of flexibility for the failure of the talks.
In response, Iceland chief negotiator, Sigurgeir orgeirsson, commented: Iceland knows only too well that the Coastal States urgently need to reach a solution to the
mackerel issue. That is why we started the past three days negotiations by suggesting all
parties simultaneously put forward new proposals."
"When this was not agreed and it became
clear that no consensus could be reached on the future sharing of mackerel, Iceland
recommended, as an interim measure, that the total catch taken by the Coastal States and
the Russian Federation for 2013 be reduced in accordance with the scientific advice from
ICES. This would result in an overall catch of 542,000 tonnes, a 15 per cent reduction from
the 2012 level. This too did not generate consensus."
"However, the Coastal States did agree to communicate to ICES the importance of improving
scientific assessment of the mackerel stock. Furthermore, it was agreed to strengthen
cooperation on monitoring, control and surveillance of all pelagic fisheries in the Northeast
Atlantic.
Steingrmur Sigfsson, Iceland Minister of Industries and Innovation, said: I am disappointed that no agreement has been reached despite proposals from Iceland on a
considerable reduction of the catch. We remain willing to negotiate a solution that reduces
the mackerel catch for all Coastal States, based on scientific evidence, and ensures a fair
share for all while protecting the stock for future generations."
"The Coastal States carry a joint responsibility for preventing overfishing from the stock and
ensuring sustainable fisheries. The delay by the Coastal States to reach an agreement,
including the re-allocation of quotas, is causing further harm to the mackerel stock and
putting all of our economies at risk."
"I welcome the strengthening of cooperation on monitoring, control and surveillance of all
pelagic fisheries in the Northeast Atlantic which is something that Iceland has emphasized in
all rounds of negotiations. Getting the science right is of vital importance. But even more
important is using that science to reach a reasonable agreement that commits all Coastal
States to the protection of the mackerel stock.
Further Reading
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