Small-boat owners demand seat if EU talks resume

Foreign media are showing strong interest in Iceland’s small-boat fishing industry ahead of a referendum on whether to resume membership negotiations with the European Union, mbl.is reports. Kjartan Páll Sveinsson, chairman of the National Association of Icelandic Small Boat Owners, said he had been struggling to keep up with interview requests.

“There is enormous interest in Icelandic small-boat fishing in Europe,” Kjartan said.

He said the requests came from Germany’s public broadcaster, France’s public broadcaster, Sweden’s public broadcaster, Canada’s public broadcaster, the Financial Times, France’s Le Figaro and Switzerland’s The Times, among others.

According to Kjartan, the foreign media have asked how small-boat fishing is organised in Iceland, how small-boat fishermen view the referendum and how they relate to larger fishing companies.

The association has no position on the referendum other than to respect democracy. However, if negotiations take place, it will not accept an agreement that threatens the future of small-boat fishing in any way.

“That is why it is unavoidable that the association also gets a seat at the negotiating table,” Kjartan said.

“But from what I hear from these Europeans, they do not want to threaten our future. Of course, you do not know that until the agreement is on the table.”

Kjartan has described the relationship with larger fishing companies as a battle between David and Goliath. Regarding small-boat fishermen’s views on the referendum, he said it was his impression that they reflected the nation as a whole, with roughly half in favour and half opposed.

“Some simply do not trust that we will get a good agreement, while others are at least willing to examine the issue,” he said.

No formal survey has been conducted on their position.

If negotiations begin, Kjartan said they would constitute a huge project next winter, making it important for small-boat fishermen to be represented in the process.