Faroese opposition reportedly rejects prime minister’s proposal to expand fishing days

Faroese opposition parties Tjóðveldi and Framsókn have publicly rejected a proposal by Prime Minister Bárður á Steig Nielsen to expand fishing days under section 5B of the fisheries regulations, while Sjálvstýri and Miðflokkurin support the initiative.

Ruth Vang, chair of Framsókn, called the proposal “short-sighted, unstable politics that caters only to a single interest group.” Eirikur í Jákupsstovu of Tjóðveldi said any expansion should wait until existing quotas are fully utilised, noting that the Løgting had already approved the transfer of more than 800 fishing days from 2024 to 2025, with few of those days actually used.

Prime Minister Bárður á Steig Nielsen has reiterated his intention to allocate additional days, citing cultural and historical arguments. He pointed to the Løgting’s December approval of the transfer as justification for moving forward.

Sámal Petur í Grund, leader of Sjálvstýri, and Stefan í Skorini, leader of Miðflokkurin, both endorsed the prime minister’s plan to expand fishing days.