Lawmakers expected to clash over 5.3% fisheries quota pool

Lawmakers are expected to clash over a bill to change Iceland’s 5.3% fisheries quota pool, mbl.is reported, citing comments by MP Lilja Rafney Magnúsdóttir.

Magnúsdóttir, a member of the People’s Party and chair of Alþingi’s Committee on Industries, made the remarks at the 42nd annual meeting of the National Association of Small Boat Owners, which began in Reykjavík yesterday and concludes today.

The pool, also known as the regional development pool, is the portion of the total quota allocation set aside for social measures such as line-fishing incentives and coastal fishing.

Magnúsdóttir said restructuring the pool through a new bill would strengthen the system, make coastal fishing more predictable and ensure a fairer allocation from other regional pools, supporting stable communities and jobs at sea and on land.

“But it must not all go to the large fishing companies, which already have plenty of quota,” she said. “But those who have much want more.”

The infrastructure minister is due to address the association’s meeting before it ends today.