Norwegian fishing sector condemns EU blue whiting quota proposal

The Norwegian fishing vessel owners' association, Fiskebåt, has condemned a new European Union proposal that would reduce Norway's share of the blue whiting fishing quota from 26.2 per cent to 5.8 per cent.

The group stated the move would cost the Norwegian industry over NOK1 billion ($95 million) annually.

Audun Maråk, CEO of Fiskebåt, said the proposal violates established principles. “The proposal radically violates internationally agreed distribution principles, which is very serious and negative with regard to sustainable management of fish resources in all ocean areas in the future,” Maråk said in a statement.

Maråk accused the EU of derailing negotiations for other shared stocks, such as mackerel and herring. "The EU is sabotaging progress in the negotiations by provoking and creating expectations that are not rooted in reality," he stated.

He added that the proposal was, "very unfriendly towards Norway," arguing that Norway has acted responsibly while other coastal states have overfished in recent years after a previous coastal state agreement collapsed.

In the statement, the association labelled the EU a "Norwegian opponent" and, "an opponent of current international law that we can no longer take seriously as a negotiating partner."

He called on the Norwegian Government to issue a formal protest against the EU's actions.