Uncertainty surrounds Faroese herring fishing later this year, as the current fisheries agreement with Iceland expires on 1 August, according to the Faroese state-owned media outlet KvF.
Faroese vessels usually fish their herring quota in Icelandic waters in the autumn. With the deal limited to seven months, planning for that season remains unclear.
The concern comes as the first blue whiting catch of the year from Faroese waters has now been landed in Iceland.
The Greenlandic vessel Polar Amaroq landed 2,000 tonnes in Norðfjörður after fishing south of the Faroe Islands. The skipper said the fish was of excellent quality.
More stories about fisheries in the Faroe Islands
Icelandic pelagic vessels had been waiting in Faroese ports while negotiations continued. Some ships began fishing last week, but turned back when no agreement was in place. The deal took effect on Tuesday.
Short deal clouds autumn planning
The fisheries agreement between the Faroe Islands and Iceland is only valid until 1 August. Faroese purse seiners usually fish herring in Icelandic waters later in the year.
More stories about pelagic fisheries
The head of the Faroese purse seine association said a full-year deal would have been preferable. He said the limited срок creates uncertainty for the autumn herring season.
No decision has yet been announced on a new agreement covering the rest of the year.
First blue whiting landed
The landing by Polar Amaroq marks the first blue whiting taken from Faroese waters this year. The vessel used short tows during the trip.
No landing value or price per tonne was reported.
Under the agreement, Faroese vessels can fish 5,600 tonnes of demersal species in Icelandic waters, including 2,400 tonnes of cod and 400 tonnes of tusk. Faroese vessels also gain access to capelin.
Icelandic vessels can fish 1,300 tonnes of mackerel in Faroese waters. Both countries can also fish blue whiting and Atlanto-Scandian herring in each other’s zones.