Iceland angers fishing industry by pressing ahead with EU regulation
Iceland’s new government is to submit a formal application for European Union membership on July 27th – potentially putting itself on collision course with the country’s fish catching industry. The prime minister Johanna Sigurdardottir, and many members of her party see membership as the only way of returning the country to financial stability after last October’s disastrous meltdown that has devastated the economy.
But the move is being strongly opposed by Iceland’s trawler owners federation who fear that it will open their fishing grounds to plunder from powerful fishing nations like Spain and France. Up to now Iceland’s grounds are largely fished by Icelandic vessels and are controlled by strict quotas, monitored by the Marine Research Institute which usually recommends catch limits.
Only one or two neighbouring states like the Faroe Islands have some limited access.
Recently a small group of British MPs have been in Iceland warning the country not to rush in, pointing out that membership had devastated much of the UK catching industry.
EU officials have said an Icelandic application would probably be looked on favourably by member states and that negotiations could move quickly due to the country’s already strong ties to the bloc. But many observers feel that the EU has envious eyes on Iceland rich fishing and energy reserves (there are strong indications of oil reserves in the region).
The bad news for the fishing industry is that a recent poll showed 61 per cent of Icelanders are in favour of opening accession talks.
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