Fisheries: EU and Norway conclude bilateral consultations on fishing opportunities in the Skagerrak, reciprocal access to waters and exchanges of quotas

Today, the EU and Norway signed three bilateral agreements including quota setting in the Skagerrak and the Kattegat, the exchanges of quotas between the two parties, and reciprocal access to waters for fishers. The EU and Norway took major decisions to significantly limit the herring catches in the Skagerrak and the North Sea to protect the Western Baltic herring stock. However, the quota shares of the parties remain unchanged.

Reciprocal access for the jointly managed stocks in the North Sea will slightly decrease. The EU will have access to catch up to 85% of pelagic stocks included in Norway's quota for Atlanto-Scandian herring. At the same time, Norway obtains access to Union waters to fish 150,000 tonnes of blue whiting. The EU and Norway also took the opportunity to secure an ambitious balance of exchanges of fishing opportunities. Among other stocks, the EU will receive 9,150 tonnes of Arctic cod for 2023, while transferring 74,000 tonnes of blue whiting to Norway.

Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, said:

This agreement secures reciprocal access to waters and important fishing opportunities for fishers on both sides. I welcome the jointly agreed measures to ensure the sustainability of fish stocks, especially for the recovery of Western Baltic herring. While challenges remain, this agreement sets the basis for positive cooperation on both sides.

The parties also signed the arrangement under which Norway allocates annually fishing opportunities to Sweden in Norwegian waters of the North Sea.

For further details, read the agreed records.

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