Unloading fish from an Icelandic vessel. (Photo: Iceland Responsible Fisheries YouTube)

Icelandic fishermen strike leaves its mark in Grimsby

UNITED KINGDOM
Friday, February 10, 2017, 00:40 (GMT + 9)

Cutbacks in labor recruitment are the first impact felt by the fishing industry in the port of Grimsby, England, because of the strike by Icelandic fishermen.

Since vessels were tied up in the dispute, supplies have reached record lows. On Tuesday, for example, just 514 boxes were offered for auction, which was described as the "least supply ever," on an early week day, local newspaper Grimsby Telegraph reported.

With the strike now in its third month, operator Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises had no option but to cut down on the labour required to run the daily sales.

Martyn Boyers, chief executive, said he had spoken to the Icelandic Ambassador to the UK earlier this week and the official was well aware of the crisis, which of course is much worse in Iceland.

"Some 1,600 jobs have gone and some businesses closed. I know they are trying hard to find a solution but I also know it is very difficult and protracted,” the executive added. “There is no quick fix so we expect it to be tough for a few more weeks yet," he stressed.

Dissatisfied with earlier written responses, MP Melanie Onn, Grimsby's representative in the UK Parliament, once again wrote to Fisheries Minister George Eustice.

The letter, shared with the Telegraph, said, "As you will be aware this strike has had a considerable impact on the UK market, including businesses in my constituency of Great Grimsby, which depends heavily on Icelandic cod and haddock."

Among the points she put forward is that the Icelandic Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson recently said that their Government does not currently intend to pass strike legislation to resolve the fishermen's strike and will not step into the ongoing dispute.

Therefore, the representative asks the Fisheries Minister to intervene on behalf of the seafood industry in Great Grimsby.

Onn also begs the matter is taken seriously and the minister takes action as "Not only does this affect the market, but the traders, the shops and restaurants, the delivery drivers and individual purchasers."

Related articles:

- Fishermen put off strike after contract with association
- Fishermen threaten to call a strike

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