Measures to tackle the overfishing of mackerel by Iceland and the Faroe Islands were approved today by the Fisheries Committee in the European Parliament today (24 April 2012).  ALDE MEP Pat the Cope Gallgher (FF, Ireland) was rapporteur for the European Parliament on this report to approve the introduction of new trade measures including sanctions which are designed to prevent overfishing by non EU countries.  The final vote was unanimous with 24 MEPs in favour and none opposed.

Mr. Gallagher described the report adopted by the Committee on Fisheries in the European Parliament as "an effective and meaningful instrument designed to prevent unsustainable fishing practices."

The report according to Mr. Gallagher is a "vast improvement on the European Commission proposal, which was too limited in scope" and he believes the report to be "an excellent basis for a final agreement with the Council of Ministers."Mr. Gallagher again called on the Coastal States to resume talks immediately with a view to reaching an agreement on the mackerel dispute.

Mr. Gallagher continued "I sincerely hope that these measures will never be used and I encourage all sides to immediately resume talks so as to resolve the dispute over mackerel in the North East Atlantic. If a solution is not found, all sides will eventually lose out as history has shown that countries cannot continue to fish above the recommended quota without environmental consequences occurring resulting in subsequent economic impacts for all."

The plenary of the European Parliament will vote on this report in June. After which, formal negotiations between the Council of Ministers, the European Parliament and the European Commission will commence with a view to reaching an overall agreement.

Mr. Gallagher concluded by stating "the ball is now in the court of the EU Fisheries Minister's to deliver and to follow the strong and unanimous signal made today by the Fisheries Committee."