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"We cannot be held to ransom"
Commenting on the news that the European Parliament Fisheries Committee will be represented at the international mackerel conference in the Faroe Islands next week, to highlight their concerns over Faroese and Icelandic mackerel quotas, Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said:
“I welcome the European Parliament's strong statement on the unacceptable overfishing of mackerel by the Icelandic and Faroese fleets. I will be writing to the Committee in advance of the meeting in the Faroe Islands to highlight our concerns and how this issue could impact on the Scottish fleet and Scotland’s fishing communities.
“I am working closely with Commissioner Damanaki and the UK Fisheries Minister to ensure a resolution is found. We cannot be held to ransom and I believe an early meeting between the European Commission and Iceland and the Faroes will be vital. We need everyone back around the negotiating table and to come to a reasonable agreement as soon as possible."
Should fisheries be closed during breeding time to allow stocks to reach more sustainable levels?
