23.12.2004 · The Government

Kalsø warns against new escalation in blue whiting fishery

The Faroese Minister of Fisheries, Mr Bjørn Kalsø, appealed today to all coastal states to exercise restraint in their fisheries for blue whiting in 2005 and to return to the negotiating table to finalise a lasting agreement for the blue whiting stock in the Northeast Atlantic.

The Faroese Minister of Fisheries, Mr Bjørn Kalsø, appealed today to all coastal states to exercise restraint in their fisheries for blue whiting in 2005 and to return to the negotiating table to finalise a lasting agreement for the blue whiting stock in the Northeast Atlantic.

Mr Kalsø expressed his deep concern over the EU Council’s decision today to increase Community quotas for blue whiting by 22% in 2005, despite the fact that total catches from the stock are already far in excess of sustainable levels. “For the EU to assign themselves the major part of the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of around 1 million tonnes, recommended by ICES for 2005, is a far cry from the restraint and responsibility the EU claims to promote in its approach to international fisheries management. This decision risks putting the likelihood of a lasting agreement between coastal states on the management of blue whiting even further out of reach than it already is,” said Mr Kalsø.

“We have also seen an alarming escalation of catches by the Norwegian fleet, which this year alone managed single-handedly to take more than the entire TAC of 925,000 tonnes recommended by ICES. And there is no indication that Norway intends to modify their behaviour in 2005. This situation must not be allowed to continue unchecked,” Mr Kalsø stated.

“The EU and Norway appear to be intent on exploiting the present deadlock in negotiations by reneging on their stated commitments to ensuring the long-term sustainability of the stock. This can only create a situation in which we will all be losers” said Bjørn Kalsø.

“As a major stakeholder in the blue whiting stock, the Faroe Islands have been negotiating in good faith for over 5 years, with the same realistic expectations for our share of a permanent allocation between the coastal states. Our claim is based on a combination of recognised criteria for allocating shares of fish stocks between coastal states. It is an equitable approach that takes account of all legitimate claims and fishing possibilities, past, present and future,” said Mr Kalsø. “The present deadlock in negotiations is largely due to the EU’s unwillingness to adjust their claim to a level which allows for constructive negotiations”, said Mr Kalsø.

Stressing the importance of the blue whiting fishery for the Faroes, Mr Kalsø stated that it is in the best interests of all stakeholders to ensure international agreement on the shared management of this stock. Mr Kalsø pointed out that the present, relatively robust state of the blue whiting stock provides the best opportunity there has been since negotiations began to agree on a permanent allocation in which all can be winners.

“We want to further develop sustainable fisheries for blue whiting in the Faroes, and we are in an excellent position to do so with good fishing possibilities in Faroese waters most of the year. We urgently need an international agreement that allows us to accommodate present interests as well as plan for the long-term, rather than to be forced to compete in a race to the finishing line for the blue whiting, which may be just ahead of us,” said Mr Kalsø.