Small Boat Owners Angry About Mackerel Ban

The National Association of Small Boat Owners has stated that the Ministry of Fisheries is playing Russian Roulette by banning mackerel fishing with the use of lines.

The ban will take effect as of today and has to do with the allocation of mackerel quotas, reports RÚV.

“Mildly put, we are very disappointed with the Minister [of Fisheries],” said Óttar Már Ingvarsson, chairman of the National Association of Small Boat Owners. “We believe that the quota amount allocated to [small boat owners] is far too small. We are fishing in a sustainable way with environmentally friendly gear. Additionally I think the Minister is playing Russian Roulette because the mackerel in the areas where we fish look for food in valuable breeding grounds. There really is no need to limit the fishing here.”