Scottish fishermen are set to boycott an international fisheries meeting being held in the Faroe Islands tomorrow because of a dispute over mackerel quotas.

The Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association, which is a constituent member of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, was due to attend the meeting in the Faroese capital Torshavn but has now given its formal notification of withdrawal. Other EU fishing representative organisations have done likewise, and it is believed that there will be no official EC or EU member state representation.

The dispute centres on the decision by Iceland and the Faroes to unilaterally increase mackerel quotas, which has angered mackerel fishermen from other EU nations and been branded as “irresponsible”.

Ian Gatt, chief executive of the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association, said: “We want to send a very clear signal to the Faroese and Icelanders that their dangerous and irresponsible decision to significantly increase their mackerel quotas is not something the international community will tolerate.

“It goes against scientific advice and will have a detrimental impact on a stock that has been looked after and sustainably fished by the Scottish fleet. The irresponsible actions of both nations could undo the years of hard work and sacrifice made by the Scottish industry.

“If Iceland and the Faroes do discuss stock management at tomorrow’s meeting, they will be doing so in a vacuum because none of the major stakeholders in the fishery will be there.

“The only way this issue is going to be resolved is through direct talks. We are committed to ensuring a satisfactory deal is struck, but not at any price. It is particularly important that any final agreement ensures that the mackerel stock is properly protected.”

The meeting, which has been organised by the Nordic Council to discuss a range of issues affecting the management of the North East Atlantic mackerel and herring fisheries, will be attended by Senior Vice President of the EU’s Fisheries Committee Struan Stevenson. He has the support of the Scottish fishing industry and has promised to highlight the EU’s concerns over the increased quotas.

Meanwhile, the Scottish industry will meet with MSPs in Edinburgh on Thursday 9 September to brief them on the dispute.