Faroe fishing boat arrested
Peter JohnsonA Faroese pelagic trawler is detained in Dales Voes while fishery officers investigate an alleged breach of fisheries regulations.
Christian I Grotinum, an 84m long stern trawler, was escorted into Dales Voe by the fishery protection vessel Hirta on Sunday afternoon.
A spokeswoman for Marine Scotland confirmed an investigation was ongoing into possible breaches of fisheries regulations, but would not give any more details.
A number of Faroese vessels have been nosing up to the 12-mile inshore limit whilst fishing for mackerel over the past few weeks, the first time a quota has been agreed that allows them to fish around Shetland.
Faroe is not a member of the European Union and can sell fish caught in UK and EU waters to Russia, whilst British and EU factories are barred from doing so.
Joseph kay
This is rubbin it in a bit, we have Norway on one side independent with a 200 mile limit or median line, and Faroe on the other side similarly placed. “fool in the middle” comes to mind.
Joseph Kay.
Whalsay
John Tulloch
It’s no half “rubbin” it in, Joe.
How effectively is the Faroese 200-mile limit policed?
James Moar
At least the Faroese have had the guts to take control of their own affairs unlike Shetland.
As a Faroeman has pointed out on Facebook this morning, either do something about it(being under the EU) or stop complaining.
He’s right.
John Tulloch
@James
Assuming your Facebook quote is accurate:
Your Faroe man is half right.
He’s right that Shetlanders should do something about winning similar autonomy to what the Faroese have got and wrong that Shetland fishermen should stop complaining about incursions into our paltry 12-mile limit when the Faroese have a 200-mile limit.
Joe is right, that’s “rubbin’ it in.”
James Moar
Hi John, but so far no Faroese vessel has been prosecuted for breaching the 12 mile limit.
The quota the Faroese have been allocated by the EU is just that – by the EU and, whether we like it or not, as things stand, in EU waters. Provided they’re outside the 12 mile limit, the cold reality is the Faroese are breaking no law.
I hear on the news tonight that the skipper of the Christian í Grótinum has finally been charged with what amounts to some pretty flimsy charges.
If he’d broken the 12 mile limit or committed a factual crime then fine, let the law apply but what I see smacks of petty politics by the SFPA and is hardly good for relations.
The Shetland Fisherman’s Association can pleeps about wanting the agreement torn up all it wants but the simple fact is, this is another consequence of having our fisheries controlled by Scotland and the EU.
United we stand, divided we fall.