Ireland and Iceland scrap over mackerel

Almost 40 years since the 'cod wars' over fishing rights in the north Atlantic, Iceland has become embroiled in a bitter dispute with Ireland over its right to harvest the mackerel species. Dublin and several other European fishing states were pressing the EU in 2012 to impose sanctions against Iceland and the Faroes for significantly increasing their mackerel catch and abstaining from international agreement to sustain the fishery.

The north-east Atlantic mackerel fishery is worth about €1bn annually if fished within sustainable limits set by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), the scientific body that advises governments on their fish quotas.

ESO: Background information: Minister Coveney defends Ireland's mackerel interests at today's EU Fisheries Council http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-minister-coveney-defends-irelands-mackerel-interests-at-todays-eu-fisheries-council/

ESO: Background information: Joint responsiblities in mackerel fishing http://www.europeansources.info/record/joint-responsiblities-in-mackerel-fishing/

Blog: Public Service Europe, 8.8.12: Iceland must comply with EU rules if it is to join the club http://www.publicserviceeurope.com/article/2318/iceland-must-comply-with-eu-rules-if-it-is-to-join-the-club

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