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The country has twice rejected overtures from Brussels - first in 1972 and then in 1994 - by considerable majorities after national referendums because fishing continued to be the big stumbling block.
But a recent opinion poll has shown for the first time that the percentage of people against joining is below 50 per cent for the first time.
However, that does not automatically mean that a majority want to follow Reykjavik's path. The survey, made for the newspapers Nationen and Klassekampen, showed that still only 38.5 per cent are in favour of EU membership, up from 35.6 per cent last month.
In some respects Norway is a bigger fishing country than Iceland and seafood exports make a huge contribution to the national economy. But, unlike Iceland, Norway has other major industries such as manufacturing - and it is hugely rich in offshore gas and oil reserves.
Observers believe that Iceland's decision will not change much in Oslo, but many Norwegians will now feel isolated because it could become the only Nordic country outside the EU. A new referndum is unlikeyl for a few years yet, but it almost certain that fishing will play a major part in any future national debate. The Norwegians are very protective of their fishing grounds even though some European and UK (mainly Scottish trawlers) do have limited access. But they will not want to throw them open to everyone.
Should fisheries be closed during breeding time to allow stocks to reach more sustainable levels?
