Trade sanctions will be used against the Faroe Islands in a dispute about the “overfishing” of herring.
EU states, backed by fishermen and the Scottish Government, made the decision after the islands’ Government set its own fishing quota more than three times larger than its earlier share.
Herring and mackerel will be included in the sanctions, which could be extended to products such as fish oil, fish meal and salmon.
Ian Gatt, chief executive of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association, said: “We welcome this decision by EU member states and we hope it sends a clear signal to the Faroese that their actions are simply not acceptable in the 21st Century and will not be tolerated by those nations committed to sustainable harvesting.”
The long-running dispute focuses on Atlanto-Scandian herring which is distinct from herring in the North Sea and west of Scotland.
Scotland and its European neighbours have long argued that the Faroe Islands, as well as Iceland, set overly large quotas while other countries try to reduce theirs.
The Faroese economy is overwhelmingly dependent on fisheries, according to its Government. A final decision on the nature of the sanctions will be taken later this month.
Richard Lochhead, Scotland’s Fisheries Secretary, said he is disappointed that sanctions have become necessary.
“We do not take these measures lightly but, given the continued overfishing of Atlanto-Scandian herring by the Faroe Islands, and their refusal to come to the table and negotiate, we believe it essential.
“Such action is necessary if we are to save the stock from collapse.
“We saw this happen to the blue whiting fishery a decade ago under similar circumstances and we must not let it happen again,” he added.
“I urge the Faroe Islands to halt their damaging actions and rejoin us at the negotiating table.”