Hannibalsson explained that the far left, the right and also the right of the centre were all against joining the bloc, noting that these were the parties that traditionally speak for Iceland’s farmers’ association and ship-owners’ lobby – the “special interest groups” with the most power in the country.
As things stand, the ship owners have the monopoly rights on fish stocks within the island nation’s exclusive economic zone, while they don’t have to pay any fees for the privilege. Furthermore, the law states that fish stocks are the “common property” of Iceland.