What were Iceland's main negotiating objectives in the field of fisheries in the EU accession negotations in 2009-2013?

Fisheries are covered under Chapter 13 of the accession negotiations. That chapter had not been opened when negotiations were put on hold in 2013 and Iceland had not submitted a negotiating position.

The negotiating objectives were:

• The sea area around Iceland defined as a special fisheries management zone.
• Icelandic authorities to retain control over fisheries management, determination of total allowable catches, and allocation of fishing quotas within Iceland's exclusive economic zone.
• Restrictions on foreign investment in Icelandic fisheries, including provisions on economic links between vessel operators and processing facilities at the vessel's home port.
• Provisions tying investment rights in the fisheries sector to residency.
• The broadest possible advocacy in international fisheries forums.

Further information can be found in a memorandum produced by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs at the request of the Althing's Foreign Affairs Committee on 17 April 2026 (in Icelandic).

More information concerning the fisheries chapter (Chapter 13) of the accession negotiations on the old accession website in 2009-2013.

See complete overview of all chapters of the 2009 - 2013 accession negotiations.