Faroese vessels operate in international waters amid mackerel fishing season concerns

Faroese vessels targeting mackerel are currently operating in international waters to the north. According to Vørn, no applications have yet been submitted for permission to fish in Norwegian waters for mackerel.

Additionally, no requests have been made to enter British waters. This is not surprising, as the mackerel fishing season there typically starts late in the year.

Currently, none of the 12 vessels that have been granted access to fish in Norwegian waters have applied for permits. A total of 21 vessels applied for rights to fish in Norwegian waters under the new mackerel agreement with Norway, and there was a lottery conducted by Vørn to determine who would receive permits.

The allocation of permits allows for only one voyage at a time. Once a fishing trip is completed, the vessel is marked last on the list of the 21 entitled to fish. It is essential for the vessels to act quickly; if a vessel does not depart for fishing within 24 hours after receiving permission, that permission will be forfeited, allowing the next vessel on the list to take its place.