Faroese fisheries minister calls for sustainable management, stronger UK trade, and North Atlantic cooperation at London seafood seminar
The Faroe Islands Minister for Fisheries and Infrastructure, Jóhan Christiansen, has emphasised the central importance of sustainable management to his country’s fishing industry during a visit to London.
Speaking at Fishmongers’ Hall on 9 September 2025, Christiansen addressed UK seafood stakeholders, government representatives, diplomats and industry figures at the seminar and seafood reception “Sustainable Fisheries in the Faroe Islands.”
Christiansen told delegates that with seafood making up over 90 percent of Faroese exports, sustainability is not optional but “a necessity.”
He said: “We have built and are building systems to ensure our fish stocks remain productive, to restore them when needed, and to protect the clean marine environment on which we depend. According to Faroese law, marine resources belong to the Faroese people – and with that comes both opportunity and responsibility.”
Science, Responsibility And Global Perspective
The minister underlined the role of the Marine Research Institute and cooperation with the fishing industry in shaping Faroese management policies. He said partnerships between researchers and private companies were key to ensuring value, which in the Faroes also means “respect for nature, pride in community, and responsibility toward future generations.”
Christiansen also highlighted the wider context of global food supply, noting that land-based protein production is near its limits while the ocean remains underutilised.
He argued that fisheries must be managed honestly and transparently, saying: “Consumers deserve the truth: where their fish comes from, how it was caught, and the people behind it. Because fisheries are not just about products on a shelf – they are about communities, families, and centuries of tradition.”
UK Trade And Shared Responsibilities
The Faroes and the UK, Christiansen said, share waters, history and responsibility. Current cooperation includes a Free Trade Agreement and a Bilateral Fisheries Agreement, and the minister expressed hope for renewed veterinary arrangements to ease seafood trade disrupted since Brexit.
He noted that around 10 percent of Faroese seafood exports are destined for the UK, mainly haddock and cod, and that the market shows potential for growth.
Looking ahead, Christiansen pointed to the shared challenge of managing pelagic stocks such as mackerel, herring and blue whiting. He stressed that lasting agreements require “determination and cooperation” across the North Atlantic.
The minister concluded by praising the work of Faroese experts in research, processing and vessel ownership, and said the London seminar aimed to strengthen bonds between Faroese and British partners.
He added: “Our aim is to bring Faroese and British people even closer – to share knowledge, exchange experience, and strengthen the bonds that already unite us.”
