An approach to the countryside – and an attempt to obscure the public's view.

It is not possible to talk about harmony in the fishing industry when government actions are not directed against those who bear the greatest responsibility but rather affect the people and communities that the industry supports.

The government's plans for increased taxation in the fishing industry are presented as if they are targeting the large fisheries. But upon close examination, it becomes clear: it is not the large fisheries that are hit hardest, but rather the smaller fisheries, processors and communities in the more remote areas of the country.

For example, municipalities like Grýtubakkahreppur, Langanesbyggð and Vopnafjörður rely heavily on fishing and processing as the main pillars of their economies. Revenue from local taxes, jobs and community welfare are built on these activities. When the blow comes from outside – through poorly considered tax changes that have not been fully assessed – it not only impacts the large fisheries but primarily affects families who face uncertainty about the future in their own home areas.

It is the responsibility of the authorities to assess the impact of actions before they become law. That has not been done. There is no comprehensive analysis available of the impact of the changes on employment in smaller communities, no review of the operational basis of processing companies now facing new charges. Such a process is both irresponsible and unacceptable.

We in Framsókn have repeatedly pointed out that there is room for increased resource fees – but such changes must be based on thorough analysis, predictability, and consensus. The fishing industry is one of the mainstays of the Icelandic economy. Do we really want to weaken such a foundation and disrupt its operational security in an unprepared manner?

What is worse – it seems there wasn't even a genuine willingness to consult with stakeholders before the matter was introduced. This issue is one of the biggest matters of interest in recent years and at the same time, the current government allows itself to significantly limit the feedback period. When all is said and done, questions may arise as to whether a true will for cooperation is even present. Such is, in my opinion, an indictment of the government's process.

One asks oneself, why is there such a rush, this matter is gigantic and completely unclear at this point in time what impact it will have in the long term. The resource should be owned by the nation, and a fair price should be paid for it, everyone agrees on that. But to achieve the much-desired agreement on the fishing industry and the duties that we believe are justifiable for it to bear, we need to base the discussion on facts, have all information on the table and do a thorough job before proceeding further.

We can do better. We should do better.

Ingibjörg Isaksdóttir, chairperson of the Framsókn parliamentary group.

The article was first published on visir.is 2025.