Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
If Iceland joins the EU, what could happen to its fishing industry? This is just one of the issues shaping the nation's upcoming referendum on whether the government should resume negotiations to join the European Union — talks that stalled more than a decade ago.
Sustainable fishing is central to Iceland's identity and economy — only Icelandic ships can fish within the 200 nautical miles (321 kilometres) of the island and foreign companies cannot own fish processing facilities. If Iceland joins the EU, those in the fishing industry fear the bloc's Common Fisheries Policy will mean these exclusive waters will become a free-for-all.
A Gallup poll this month found voters split on restarting talks with the EU: 46 per cent said they would vote yes and 46 per cent no, with 8 per cent undecided. Polls show a majority against actually joining the bloc.
For Icelanders who support the 'yes' side the most compelling argument is around creating economic opportunities and improving cost of living.
Living standards and wages are high, but so are inflation and interest rates.
Mazoe Ford reports, filmed by Daniel Pannett.
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Note: In most cases, our captions are auto-generated.
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If Iceland joins the EU, what could happen to its fishing industry? This is just one of the issues shaping the nation's upcoming referendum on whether the government should resume negotiations to join the European Union — talks that stalled more than a decade ago.
Sustainable fishing is central to Iceland's identity and economy — only Icelandic ships can fish within the 200 nautical miles (321 kilometres) of the island and foreign companies cannot own fish processing facilities. If Iceland joins the EU, those in the fishing industry fear the bloc's Common Fisheries Policy will mean these exclusive waters will become a free-for-all.
A Gallup poll this month found voters split on restarting talks with the EU: 46 per cent said they would vote yes and 46 per cent no, with 8 per cent undecided. Polls show a majority against actually joining the bloc.
For Icelanders who support the 'yes' side the most compelling argument is around creating economic opportunities and improving cost of living.
Living standards and wages are high, but so are inflation and interest rates.
Mazoe Ford reports, filmed by Daniel Pannett.
Subscribe: ab.co/3yqPOZ5
Note: In most cases, our captions are auto-generated.
#ABCNewsIndepth #ABCNewsAustralia
