Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs Helga Pedersen says;
– I firmly believe that this agreement will result in an improved exploitation pattern in the North Sea fisheries. I am very content that the EU has cooperated positively to find solutions on complex problems.
After my fruitful meeting with Commissioner Borg earlier this month, I commend him for his personal engagement that has contributed to the positive outcome of this year’s negotiations.
We agree that the objective should be to minimize and, through effective regulation, eradicate discards, including the consideration of a discard ban before 2012 as an element of the revision of the EU Common Fishery Policy.
The Community has agreed to introduce a ban on high grading already from 2009 off. This is an important step on the way towards a discard ban, says Minister Pedersen.
The Parties have agreed to develop a joint arrangement for real time closures (RTC) of fishing grounds, and have established a Working Group which will develop and implement a RTC system and a system for seasonal area closures in the North Sea and Skagerrak.
– Area closures are an important tool for protecting juveniles and spawning areas, and it will contribute to significantly reduce unwanted by-catch and I believe this is a major step forward, Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs Helga Pedersen says.
The parties further agreed to convene an expert meeting on fishing gear to recommend further selection measures in trawl and purse seine fisheries
Norway will also require that vessels fishing in Norwegian waters have adequate quota that match expected catch composition.
Norway will increase minimum the size for cod, haddock, saithe and whiting in the Norwegian Economic Zone south of 62ºN. The purpose of these measures is to lower the threshold for the Coast Guard when establishing precautionary areas in the
North Sea.
– I am also pleased that we have agreed to a exchange of fishing possibilities that will benefit the industry both in EU and Norway, says Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs Helga Pedersen.
