Faroe Islands oppose Russia’s exclusion from mackerel fisheries

The Faroe Islands have refused to support a proposal by the EU, UK, and Iceland to exclude Russia from mackerel fishing in international waters, according to a report by Faroese broadcaster KVF.

A decision on the measure, initially raised as a sanctions issue in May, was only formally published this week after the EU committee updated its website. The proposal, backed by most NEAFC member states, would bar Russia from catching 1,495 tonnes of mackerel in international waters this year.

Bárður á Steig Nielsen, the Faroese minister for foreign affairs and fisheries, called the allocation “meaningless” and argued that Russia’s current share—67,548 tonnes, far above its typical 7.5%—already exceeds reasonable limits. He warned that supporting the measure could jeopardise fisheries cooperation with Russia.

The NEAFC agreement also includes provisions to ban Russian vessels from landing or transshipping catches in European ports and from receiving services such as bunkering. The Faroe Islands have consistently opposed these steps, citing concerns over their own fisheries relations.

The EU, however, seeks to tighten sanctions, proposing a full ban on transshipments in NEAFC waters and extending restrictions to international waters. The Faroe Islands’ stance remains distinct, as noted in the EU committee’s published text.

Nielsen said he does not expect a strong reaction from other NEAFC members, as the Faroe Islands did not endorse the EU, UK, and Iceland’s proposal.