AGRIFISH Ministers met yesterday, Monday 23 Sept, to discuss EU-UK and EU-Norway and coastal states: annual consultations for 2025
Yesterday, 24 September, the European Union’s Agriculture and Fisheries (AGRIFISH) Council met in Brussels to discuss key issues surrounding fisheries management for 2025.
The meeting brought together fisheries ministers from across the EU to address the ongoing negotiations with the United Kingdom and Norway, as well as updates to fishing quotas for the coming years.
EU-UK Fish Stocks Negotiations
One of the central topics of the meeting was the management of fish stocks shared between the European Union and the United Kingdom, which is part of the annual cycle of discussions following the UK’s exit from the EU. These talks, set to begin in late October and run through to early December, will cover 81 jointly managed fish stocks.
The ministers emphasised the importance of ensuring balanced agreements between the EU and the UK, recognising the need to secure the long-term environmental, economic, and social sustainability of the fisheries sector. With these talks set to begin shortly, the Council’s guidance will inform the European Commission’s position as it enters negotiations with the UK.
EU-Norway Consultations for 2025
The Council also addressed upcoming consultations between the EU and Norway on fishing opportunities for 2025. These talks, which will run parallel to the EU-UK negotiations, are expected to focus on quota exchanges and access to each other’s waters.
Several fish stocks are managed trilaterally between the EU, Norway, and the UK, making these negotiations critical for all parties involved. Additionally, the Council discussed consultations with other coastal states on total allowable catches (TACs) for mackerel, blue whiting, and Atlanto-Scandian herring in the North-East Atlantic, which will also take place in October.
During the Council meeting, ministers provided political guidance to the Commission on the EU’s position in these consultations.
Fishing Opportunities for 2024 and 2025
In a further discussion, the ministers reviewed a European Commission proposal to update fishing quotas for 2024 and 2025. The proposed amendments are based on the latest scientific research and recent developments affecting certain fish stocks. The Council’s debate focused particularly on anchovy stocks in Atlantic Iberian waters, with ministers exchanging views on how best to manage this species sustainably.
The discussion is expected to clear the path for the adoption of updated fishing opportunities in the coming months.
Balancing Environmental and Economic Sustainability
Throughout the meeting, the ministers stressed the importance of achieving a balance between environmental conservation and the economic needs of the fisheries sector. With rising concerns about the sustainability of fish stocks in European waters, the AGRIFISH Council underscored the need for policies that protect marine ecosystems while ensuring that fishing communities continue to thrive.
The outcome of these discussions will play a pivotal role in shaping the EU’s fisheries policies and international agreements for 2025, as the bloc seeks to secure a future for the industry that is both environmentally sustainable and economically viable.