Fishermen condemn mackerel slaughter

8 October 2008

PELAGIC fishermen are calling on the European Commission to take action on what they say is the “unregulated fishing of North East Atlantic mackerel by Icelandic vessels”.

Members of the Northern Pelagic Working Group (NPWG) spoke out after a meeting with senior EC officials in London in which the high landing of mackerel as a bycatch in the Icelandic herring fisheries was discussed.

NPWG chairman Derek Duthie said: “The declared landings of mackerel this year from the Icelandic fleet reached 108,000 tonnes. This must be compared to a few hundred tonnes three years ago.

“If this figure is correct, an increase of this proportion can only be described as blatant ‘Olympic fishing’ by Iceland. The Icelandic authorities must be reminded of their obligations under the UN Charter for Responsible Fishing.”

He said fisheries commissioner Joe Borg had to intervene as most of the mackerel landed had been “reduced” to fish meal and oil.

“It is completely irresponsible of the Icelandic administration to allow an unregulated fishery to continue in an otherwise well-managed stock and commissioner Borg must act to have this slaughter stopped immediately.

“The fleets fishing under the coastal States agreement must not be penalised for the failure of third parties,” he said.

The annual talks on TACs and quota for pelagic stocks are set to start on 20 October.

source: http://www.shetlandmarine.com/2008/02%20Fishing/fishermen_condemn_mackerel_slaughter.htm