The Euopean Commission called Iceland’s decision to begin mackerel fishing a reversal of conservation efforts.
While the European Commission said the decision contradicted international agreements to allow mackerel stocks to recuperate, Iceland contends that it isn’t party to any such agreements.
Hrefna Karlsdottir, Iceland’s permanent secretary at the
Fisheries Ministry, told Reuters in part, “We have deliberately been kept out of the management of
these stocks. We have therefore not
recognised the agreements reached within the North East Atlantic
Fisheries Commission and are not bound by them.”
The decision is one that could sour any plans of joining the EU, a goal that Iceland’s current coalition government is split on – while the Social Democrats want Iceland to join the EU, the Leftist-Greens are opposed, although they do believe the matter should be put to national referendum.
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