Mackerel deal gives Faroes ‘unfair share’

The Faroe Islands has around 30% of the population of Donegal, but its mackerel quota is now 30% bigger than that of Ireland, said Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation chairman Martin Howley.

The KFO also says the North East Atlantic agreement signed by the EU, Norway and the Faroe Islands will see global mackerel stocks vastly reduced during its five-year term. Based on scientific advice, the deal has increased the total allowable catch (TAC) from around 890,000 tonnes up to 1.25m tonnes of mackerel. Iceland is not party to this agreement.

“Allowing these extra mackerel to be caught is really only a short-term gain,” said Martin Howley.