Norway and the EU reached a political understanding in relation to the fisheries in the Northeast Arctic, in ICES subareas 1 and 2 – area which includes the waters around the Svalbard archipelago and the international waters of the Barents Sea.
Under this understanding, Norway and the EU reiterate their commitment to the continued sustainable management of marine living resources in the Northeast Arctic, in accordance with international law.
Following the United Kingdom’s departure from the EU, Norway set separate quotas for vessels from the EU and the United Kingdom for fishing for cod in the fisheries protection zone off Svalbard for 2021. This was challenged by the EU and now that Norway and the EU have now reached an understanding on fishing in the northern waters, Norway will allocate vessels from EU member states a cod quota in the fisheries protection zone off Svalbard.
‘I am pleased we have now established an understanding. We have had positive talks and I want to give credit to the EU. This shows that they are a close and good partner, who are serious when it comes to sustainable marine management,’ said Norway’s Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Bjørnar Skjæran.
Norway and the EU will continue setting catch limits applying to EU vessels fishing in Svalbard waters in their legislation, as is the established practice.
The understanding furthermore strengthens co-operation on measures in relation to fisheries in the North-east Arctic, ensuring sustainable fishing. The fisheries covered include cod, redfish, haddock and Greenland halibut. The EU and Norway have pledged to engage in consultation regarding such measures, and the measures will be set in a co-ordinated manner.
‘The understanding with Norway reflects our joint commitment to sustainable fishing and highlights what can be achieved when addressing matters of common interest together,’ said Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius,
‘We look forward to continuing and further strengthening our joint efforts in the area of fisheries and in this respect I look forward to meeting Bjørnar Selnes Skjæran, the Norwegian Minister for Fisheries, during my upcoming travel to the Arctic Frontiers conference in Tromsø.’
The EU will now engage with Norway to determine the next steps that they will take to implement the actions. The reaching of this agreement also provides the opportunity for Norway and the EU to focus on other issues of common interest in the area of fisheries.
Bjørnar Skjæran commented that the understanding with the EU, together with a similar understanding with the United Kingdom that came into place in December 2021, provides stability for all parties fishing in the northern areas on the basis of various agreements. He stated that the understanding emphasis that the established management regime in the northern waters has ensured sustainable management for several decades.
‘The clarifications we have arrived at are based on respect for jurisdiction and administrative responsibility, and will contribute to stability and good cooperation. It will also ensure sustainable management of the cod stock and other important stocks such as blue halibut and redfish,’ Bjørnar Skjæran said.
