|
JON Bjarnason has been ousted as Iceland's Fisheries Minister after more than two years in the post.
The controversial figure had been under political fire for the past few weeks after he became embroiled in a row over proposed reform of the country's fishing management system.
As reported by Fishupdate last month, his future had been in doubt following criticism by Iceland's Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurđardóttir for the way he has handled the controversial fisheries bill which wants widespread changes to the way the country's fish quota system is to be managed in future. Iceland's catching industry is firmly against the proposals.
Ms Sigurđardóttir had been harshly critical of Mr Bjarnason for failing to consult the government in the drafting of the bill. She said there was a lot of discontent within the coalition government over the issue.
Now following a major government reshuffle the new fisheries minister is the former finance minister Steingrimur Sigfusson But he has also been given a triple role as Economy Minister and Farm Minister as well as Minister of Fisheries.
To many it may seem a strange decision given the importance of fishing to the Icelandic economy.Iceland's fishing industry has yet to react to a move which seems on the face of it to downplay the role of fisheries minister. Meanwhile, Mr Bjarnason's political supporters have suggested that he does not plan to remain silent about what has been going on within government recently.The reshuffle also means women now outnumber men in the government by five to four, including the prime minister.
Should people be 'stimulated' to eat white fish alternatives to cod?
