EU Imposes Sanctions on Faroe Islands over Herring and Mackerel Fishing Dispute
The European Commission has announced that it will impose financial sanctions on the Faroe Islands for failing to comply with sustainable fishing quotas, a move that comes after years of disputes between the EU, Norway, Iceland, and the Faroes over fishing quotas for herring and mackerel.
Background
The dispute over fishing quotas has been ongoing since 2009, with both Iceland and the Faroes claiming they are fishing within sustainable limits. However, the EU and Norway have insisted that both countries are overfishing beyond proper quotas for both species.
Reasons for Sanctions
According to the commission, the Faroes are fishing three times as much as the agreed-upon quotas would allow, putting the long-term sustainability of these stocks at risk. The EU has been threatening sanctions for some time, with European Commissioner for Maritime and Fisheries Affairs Maria Damanaki warning that such measures were “always done as a very last resort.”
Sanctions
The new sanctions will:
- Ban imports of herring and mackerel from the Faroes
- Restrict the use of EU ports by Faroese fishing vessels that are fishing herring and mackerel, meaning that some of these vessels will not be allowed to dock in EU ports except in cases of emergency
- Apply to fishery products containing or made of these species
Impact
The sanctions are expected to take effect seven days after publication in the Official Journal. While the sanctions do not affect Iceland directly, the commission has suggested that further action may be taken against this country as well.
The EU’s move is seen as a significant escalation of the dispute and could have significant economic implications for the Faroe Islands, which rely heavily on fishing and fish processing industries. The government in Tórshavn has been criticized for its handling of the situation, with many calling for more sustainable fishing practices to avoid damage to the country’s reputation and economy.
New Powers
The commission is using new powers granted under the October 2012 Trade Instrument to impose the sanctions. These powers give the EU greater flexibility in responding to unsustainable fishing practices and allow it to take swift action against countries that fail to comply with agreed-upon quotas.