EU Commission and Norway reach an agreement on a number of outstanding issues in the area of fisheries including the Svalbard cod quota
In a significant step towards reinforced cooperation on fisheries management, the European Commission and Norway have reached an agreement setting the EU’s cod quota in Svalbard waters at 2.8274% of the total allowable catch (TAC).
This quota, which equates to 9,217 tonnes for 2025, will also apply for the following years, allowing EU vessels access to Svalbard and international waters for cod fishing.
The agreement is a product of the recently established EU-Norway High-Level Dialogue, co-chaired by Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Maroš Šefčovič and Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide. This dialogue, initiated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, aims to resolve longstanding fisheries management issues.
The new quota allocation marks an improvement for EU fishing interests in Svalbard waters, a subject of contention since the UK’s exit from the EU, which led Norway to set a lower quota for EU fishers. This decision, the Commission stated, is expected to provide a more stable framework for EU fishing activities and enhance the livelihoods of fisheries communities across Member States.
Both Šefčovič and Eide acknowledged the role of the High-Level Dialogue in fostering constructive discussion. “By injecting constructive dynamism into our talks, we have managed to address some of the difficult issues in the area of fisheries,” noted Šefčovič.
The agreement also includes commitments by both parties to support a redfish quota proposal from Norway, set at 5.9% of the TAC for international waters in the Norwegian Sea. This proposal will be brought to the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) for adoption and subsequent integration into EU regulations by 2025.
Despite unresolved topics, such as the use of collecting bags in ICES areas 1 and 2, both parties expressed readiness to continue close cooperation. The commitment to transparency and regular pre-meeting exchanges between EU and Norwegian delegations at NEAFC was highlighted in both leaders’ letters, underscoring a mutual goal of sustainable fisheries management.
This agreement not only reflects a shared interest in sustainable fisheries practices but also reinforces the importance of EU-Norway cooperation for the benefit of marine resources and the fishing industry.
Source: Press Release