Faroese parliament vote could threaten MSC certification and jobs

The Faroese parliament is expected to approve 750 additional fishing days for fishing boats in group 5B on Wednesday, a decision that could put MSC certification and jobs at risk, according to KVF.

Jens Pauli Petersen, managing director of Faroe Origin, fears the consequences for the saithe processing plant in Runavík. When the plant is operating at full capacity, around 90 people earn their living there.

The proposal, submitted by Foreign Affairs and Fisheries Minister Bárður á Steig Nielsen, would grant the additional days to the non-full-time fishing boats in group 5B.

The decision would go against the Faroese administration plan for fisheries management. As a result, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, or ICES, could reject the plan.

If that happens, MSC certification for Faroese saithe fishing, together with the rest of the demersal fishery, is likely to be withdrawn.

Without MSC certification, the market could be lost to other markets that prefer lower-quality products, Petersen said. That would reduce the need for workers at saithe processing plants, he warned.