Agreement has been reached at the EU-UK Specialised Committee on Fisheries (SCF) on three shared issues.
The parties have agreed on a mechanism for voluntary transfers of fishing opportunities between the EU and UK, common guidelines for notifying management measures to the other party, and improvements to the management of four shared stocks – lemon sole, witch, turbot and brill.
The establishment of a mechanism for voluntary in-year transfers of fishing opportunities between the EU and UK will help fleets on both sides accommodate the distribution of their fishing opportunities to their specific operational needs
This mechanism will allow for several rounds of in-year transfers based on proposals from the industry. The mechanism is based on the principles of the interim system for quota exchanges in place since 2021, which has proven to work well for both parties. This agreement is unique among the EU’s relations with external fisheries partners, and follows the principles applied for quota swaps internally within the EU.
‘These agreements demonstrate that the EU and UK can work effectively together under the framework of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement,’ said Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius.
‘These agreements will improve the sustainable management of our shared fishing stocks and support both our fleets. It demonstrates the success of our work together to normalise our new fisheries relationship and sets a strong basis for continued cooperation on shared management challenges.’
The parties also made important advancements in the management of four shared stocks – lemon sole, witch, turbot and brill. The EU and UK adopted a recommendation setting out a new framework for setting Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for these four stocks, after scientific advice from ICES stated that the previous management approach entailed sustainability risks.
This framework includes new TACs for these stocks in the Channel and Skagerrak, and associated EU and UK quota shares for these TACs.
The joint guidelines for notifications of management measures areseen as another important milestone. Both the EU and UK now have to notify the other party of all management measures they take in their respective waters that may affect the vessels of the other party. These guidelines provide clarity to this process, including on timelines for notification, standardised content of notifications and on the engagement on notifications.
