Faroe Islands Brings Claim against EU pursuant to UNCLOS

The Faroe Islands has initiated arbitration against the European Union (EU) pursuant to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in connection with a dispute over fishing rights. Earlier this year, the Faroese government decided to increase the amount of herring its fishermen were allowed to take.  In response, the EU Member States voted to impose sanctions against the Faroe Islands for overfishing of herring.  Friday, the Faroe Islands and Iceland charged that the EU actions violate international maritime law as reflected in UNCLOS.  Iceland and the Faroe Islands say the dispute should be resolved through negotiations at meetings scheduled next month with the other coastal states: Russia, Norway and the EU.  The EU sanctions are not yet in effect, and negotiations are scheduled for the first week of September, so stay tuned.

(cgb)