The Irish government has intensified its campaign against Iceland’s fisheries policy, warning that the country’s bid to join the EU may be curtailed if it fails to settle a dispute over its increasing mackerel catches.
As EU member states moved yesterday to expedite trade sanctions against Reykjavik over the catches, Minister for the Marine Simon Coveney warned that the dispute could jeopardize the opening of accession talks with Iceland on fisheries policy generally.
The government argues that a massive increase in mackerel catches by Iceland and the Faroe Islands amounts to a plundering of Ireland’s most valuable fishery in violation of international law.
While not stating explicitly that Ireland may veto the opening of the fisheries chapter in the accession process when it comes before ministers next month, Mr. Coveney said realistic debate on that question would be impossible in the absence of a settlement.
“We want this issue resolved and it is a significant open sore that needs to be lanced in my view before we can have a constructive debate during the fisheries chapter,” he told reporters in Brussels.
