Fisheries policy in violation of the law?

It must be allowed to ask: Why doesn’t the Labor Party follow Norwegian law in fisheries policy?

Norwegian law is clear:

· The fishing resources belong to the Norwegian people jointly.

· Quotes should not be perpetual or be able to be purchased and sold.

· It is the state, through political decisions, that will distribute fishing resources – not the market.

This is rooted in a number of parliamentary decisions and legislative preparation, such as Ot.prp. No. 20 (2007–2008) and the participation law. It says black and white that quotas are not private property, and that the sale of quotas does not have legal anchoring. Nevertheless, the Labor Party – together with the right side – has supported a system where quotas are traded on the open market.

The Center Party does not accept that Norway’s most important natural resource is converted into a brush. We are fighting for a fair and legal fisheries policy, where quotas and licenses are awarded according to public prioritization – not market price.

Geir A. Iversen

Parliamentary representative

For the Center Party

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