ICELANDIC research indicates that mackerel is moving into Icelandic waters in "huge numbers," according to the country's IceNews website.

Reacting to the call by Scots MEP and deputy chairman of the European Parliament's fisheries committee Struan Stevenson, for tough action against both Iceland and Faroe for taking unilateral action on mackerel quotas, the website staunchly defends Iceland's conservation record.

Stevenson wants the fisheries ministers of Iceland and Faroe to be called urgently to Brussels in order to negotiate a solution to the escalating mackerel fishing dispute.

And Stevenson, a Conservative MEP, believes that the EU should use the threat of sanctions against Iceland and the Faroes due to their large unilaterally declared mackerel fishing quotas.

Stevenson and the Scottish fishing industry have contended that both countries' action is putting the livelihoods of Scottish fishermen at risk.

The Icelandic website acknowledges that a decade ago Iceland fished "two tonnes a year" of mackerel and this year set a 130,000 tonne quota for themselves.

But the website adds that Icelandic Marine Research Institute surveys suggest that mackerel are migrating to Icelandic waters in "huge numbers" and that the unilateral quota is sustainable.

"Iceland has a reputation for taking good care of its fish stocks but the EU does not believe that is currently the case with mackerel," the website adds.