Faroe Islands prepare for fisheries talks with Russia

The Faroe Islands expect to hold fisheries talks with Russia in December, despite worsening relations between Russia and the West, KVF reported. The negotiations are expected to take place online, as they have in recent years.

Foreign Affairs and Fisheries Minister Bárður á Steig Nielsen said the coalition agrees that fisheries cooperation with Russia should continue. He plans to consult the Foreign Affairs Committee on the matter.

Advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) is expected to have a significant influence on the negotiations. Last week, ICES recommended increasing the maximum catch for all three pelagic fish stocks.

For blue whiting, the species Russian vessels catch most often in Faroese waters, the recommended catch is 1,064,000 tonnes, 25 per cent above this year’s recommendation.