Atlantic and horse mackerel quota allocation

10.9.2014

Question for written answer E-006732-14
to the Commission
Rule 130
José Blanco López (S&D)

Mackerel fishing has for years been a controversial issue within the EU, both where the EU’s external relations are concerned and in the Member States themselves. It is time to end the present uncertainty and achieve a fair and well-balanced share-out, at domestic level in particular, between towed gear and less widely used types such as the purse seine.

As far as Norway is concerned, EU catches have traditionally amounted to 90%. The 52% recorded by Iceland and the Faeroe Islands in 2013 was not a reasonable figure, and the arrangement agreed in March of this year is therefore welcome to the extent that it left the door open to Iceland and has no doubt served to strengthen relations with Norway, thus creating the possibility of concluding a bilateral agreement covering the sector as a whole.

1. Is the Commission negotiating with the above countries with a view to securing higher quotas for the EU fisheries sector?

2. If so, how far have the negotiations progressed?

3. Will the Commission be able to produce results before the quota allocations are approved, thereby averting any repetition of the protests that occurred early this year?