Fishermen fear EU could allow Iceland access to Irish waters 

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Iceland is in secret talks with Europe on agreeing a deal to fish in EU waters, according to Irish fishing industry representatives.

Were any deal to go ahead, it could see the Icelandic fishing fleet moving into Irish waters for the first time ever.

South and Southwest Fish Producers Organisation CEO Patrick Murphy said this could lead to overfishing and jeopardise the stocks we have in our waters.

He said he found out about the talks by accident earlier this year, and he discussed it at length with the Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue on October 19.

The Irish Examiner asked the Department about the talks but it declined to confirm any were taking place.

Instead, a spokesperson said: “Icelandic vessels may not fish in EU waters, including Irish waters, unless there is an agreement in place allowing them to do so.

“There is currently no such agreement in place between the EU and Iceland.

“The European Commission has exclusive competence to negotiate with Third Countries on behalf of the EU. Before engaging in any such negotiations, a mandate for the Commission would first have to be set by Council representing Member States.

“The Department takes an active involvement in discussions which may impact on, or offer opportunities for, Ireland’s seafood sector.” 

However, on Friday morning, the Irish Examiner learned that Mr Murphy and other representatives have just been invited to attend a virtual meeting this afternoon to discuss “developments at EU level re the possibility of discussions between the EU and Iceland on fishing opportunities”.

'I am not being alarmist'

Mr Murphy told the Irish Examiner: “I spoke to the Minister about the prospect of Iceland coming into Irish waters and how much my members would object to that happening.

"While I can guarantee you that he is aware that this is an issue coming down the tracks and that Iceland has made an approach to Europe, I just cannot give you any indication what he intends [on] doing because I don't know.

My biggest fear is that a deal will end up being agreed on and Ireland will end up being the country that will benefit the least from any such deal.

"I am not being alarmist when I say this because there is a track record here of Ireland ending up as the sacrificial lamb so the bigger EU countries can get the deals they want."

Iceland has previously said the country would "never” join the European Union because the country is thriving outside.

But overfishing and increased migration of fish stocks further due to climate change have prompted a position shift and could see closer economic ties being agreed to.

The country applied to join the EU in 2009, but later pulled out of talks.

One of the main reasons was it wanted to retain complete control over its own fishing grounds and an industry that not only receives no subsidies from the State but is also one of the most successful of its kind in the world.

Any of its fish stocks that are shared with the EU are subject to bilateral agreements that are renegotiated every year.

One of the reasons why Iceland has been so reluctant to cede any control over its fishing grounds is because it is proud of the way it manages them.

The country was able to boast in 2021, for example, that of the two cod stocks in the world that were on the increase at the time, one was in Iceland.