14.12.2012 · The Government

Unfortunate Outcome of Coastal State Meeting in London

Press release from the Ministry of Fisheries

The Faroese Minister of Fisheries, Mr. Jacob Vestergaard, regrets that the consultations with regard to the management and conservation of the shared fish stocks Atlanto-Scandian herring and blue whiting proved inconclusive during the meeting in London today on 14 December 2012.


Minister Vestergaard expressed concerns about the inclination of some of the coastal States to link the management and conservation of blue whiting with unreasonable claims of access to fish such stocks in waters of other coastal States: “The sustainable management of blue whiting is being held subject to unreasonable claims, alien to the management and conservation of this stock, with far-reaching consequences for a responsible management of the stock in question”, says Minister Vestergaard.

A further concern is that some of the States were at this stage unwilling to accept that the substantial increase of Atlanto-Scandian herring in maritime areas of Faroese jurisdiction during recent years should be reflected in a final arrangement: “I feel disappointed that the other coastal States refused to discuss a new sharing arrangement on Atlanto-Scandian herring for 2013 and thereby refused to take account of the legitimate view of the Faroes. A conclusive management and conservation arrangement of Atlanto-Scandian herring needs to embrace the recent increased presence of this stock in maritime areas under Faroese jurisdiction”, says Minister Vestergaard. "The state of Atlanto-Scandian herring has deteriorated recently. This causes further concern for a sustainable management and conservation of Atlanto-Scandian herring", says Minister Vestergaard.

Further informations: Bjørn Kunoy, Legal Adviser, Foreign Affairs Department, Prime Minister´s Office bjornk@tinganes.fo - +298 55 61 29