Iceland is lowering its mackerel fishing quota for 2013 by 15%.
Industries minister Steingrimur J Sigfusson says the lower quota is to help preserve the mackerel stock and the 15% reduction was in line with recommendations from international scientific experts.
The European Commission says it regrets Iceland's announcement of a unilateral quota.
In a statement it said: "Iceland's claim to reduce its quota conceals the fact that Iceland's unilateral quota remains excessively high, before and after the reduction."
