Pelagos urges swift action to remove Asian trade barriers

Pelagos says there is an attractive Asian market for pelagic fish, especially mackerel, but tariffs must be removed through free-trade agreements. The company’s chief executive, Bogi P. Nielsen, made the case on the KVF radio programme Breddin.

Faroe Islands Foreign Affairs and Fisheries Minister Bárður á Steig Nielsen said negotiations could move quickly. The Faroe Islands has signed a memorandum with China to begin concrete negotiations, and a similar agreement with South Korea is expected soon.

Herálvur Joensen, director general at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Fisheries, said there was a limit to how much negotiators could speed up the process, despite his optimism.

Jaeseng Yang, a fish buyer for South Korea’s largest fishing company, Dongwon, said he was keen to buy Faroese mackerel. He added that it would take time for South Koreans to become accustomed to a new product.