“This is completely ridiculous”: Opposition criticizes coastal fishing bill
“We in the opposition have been asking for months where this extra fishing authorization will come from, but the Minister has continually avoided giving a clear answer,” says Bergþór Ólason, parliamentary group leader for the Centre Party. Composite image mbl.is/Arnþór/Hari
Bergþór Ólason, parliamentary group leader for the Centre Party, has strongly criticized the Minister of Industry’s newly proposed bill that would guarantee a 48-day coastal fishing season this summer, calling the proposal “completely ridiculous” and accusing the government of avoiding scrutiny.
The bill, introduced by Minister of Industry Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, would temporarily exempt the Fisheries Directorate from its legal obligation to halt coastal fishing once the quota is reached, thereby enabling a full 48-day season. Additionally, it would allow the minister to authorize increased catch volumes for the current fishing year, provided those volumes are repaid by the 2028/2029 fishing year.
“Evasive answers for months”
“This interpretation by the Minister, which prohibits the Directorate of Fisheries from stopping coastal fishing when the quota is exhausted, is completely unlikely,” Ólason told mbl.is.
He criticized what he described as evasiveness from the Minister: “We in the opposition have been asking for months where this extra fishing authorization will come from, but the Minister has continually avoided giving a clear answer.”
Ignores Marine Research Institute’s advice
Ólason also raised concerns about the bill’s long-term implications, suggesting it undermines scientific fisheries management and defers political accountability.
“This has essentially been kicked down the road into the next electoral term,” he said, referencing the requirement to repay the additional quota by 2028/2029. “What’s even more significant is that this appears to be the first time the government is openly disregarding the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute’s advice. That’s major political news in itself.”
He went on to accuse the government of yielding to pressure from the People's Party, which heavily promoted the 48-day season during the last elections. “If this continues, that alliance will prove very costly.”
Lack of transparency
When asked for more specifics, Ólason insisted the minister must clarify where the extra catch allowances would come from—whether from the settlement quota, line concessions, or shellfish and shrimp allocations.
“This is basic information we’ve been requesting since the current coalition came together, and yet the minister continues to withhold it,” he said.
Rushed legislation?
With just over two weeks remaining in the parliamentary session before the summer recess, Ólason expressed doubt the bill could be processed in time.
“I would be very surprised,” he said. “And it would be particularly odd if the minister tried to rush this through the comment process now.”
“The timing is highly suspect,” he added. “Introducing this in late May or early June—more than a month after the coastal fishing season has already begun—it feels like the goal is to minimize public debate, or avoid it altogether.”
