Norway and the EU have concluded agreements for fisheries in 2018, with both Norway and the EU looking to boost control of whitefish fisheries. The parties agreed to establish a working group to examine the challenges in the North Sea, and what measures should be introduced.
‘The fisheries agreement is important for both Norway and the EU, and I am very pleased that we have agreed. These have been tough negotiations, but everyone has been constructive. Both Norway and the EU are committed to ensuring good management of our common resources in the North Sea and Skagerrak. With a new agreement in place, we can continue our close co-operation,’ said Norway’s Fisheries Minister Per Sandberg.
‘A joint fisheries agreement provides sustainable management, but it is also important for our economy. It provides value creation for industry both in the EU and Norway. And together with other agreements that are in place, it provides stability for the industry,’ he said.
North Sea cod has been under pressure, but the situation has improved considerably in recent years. The 2018 quota is set at 43,156 tonnes, with 7337 tonnes going to Norway.
The North Sea herring stock is judged to be in good condition, with the quota is set at 600,588 tonnes. The Norwegian quota is 174,171 tonnes.
For saithe, also seen as a strong stock, the quota for 2018 is set at 105,793 tonnes, of which Norway gets 55,012 tonnes.
