Ireland pushes for trade sanctions in mackerel war

Ireland has increased pressure for trade sanctions against Iceland and the Faroe Islands over the ongoing mackerel wars that threatens the stocks with collapse inside two years.

Mackerel is one of the country’s most valuable fish stocks and is worth about €100m to the fishermen and maintains about 10 processing factories. However, demands by Iceland and the Faroes could cost the country 20% of its quota.

Sanctions expected to come into force in September would ban all Icelandic and Faroese vessels and any others flying their flag from coming into EU ports; a ban on a range of fish and fish products including mackerel; and a ban on the sale of vessels and fishing gear to and from them.