Quota agreement between Norway and the EU for 2008

Norway and the EU have concluded a bilateral fisheries agreement for 2008. The parties have also come to an agreement on fishing in the Skagerrak for next year. ”In anticipation of advice from ICES the parties have continued the management plans for saithe and North Sea herring. We now have management plans for herring, saithe, haddock and cod in the North Sea. These management plans will both safeguard responsible management and contribute towards a stable framework for the industry,” says Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs Helga Pedersen.

Control

Based on the strong focus which has been placed on the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, control has also been a central theme of this year’s negotiations. Norway and the EU are in agreement that much has been achieved, but that the collaboration on control should be continued.

“I am happy that we have achieved so much in the campaign against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and that the port state control appears to be working. We shall continue our work towards achieving satisfactory control regimes for all fishing in which Norway takes part,” says Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs Helga Pedersen. She praises the European Commission’s constructive attitude to this case.

Quotas

The situation for cod in the North Sea is still difficult and the total quota has been at a low level for the last three years. Nevertheless there are signs that the size of the 2005 year class can contribute to growth in the spawning population. Norway and the EU are in agreement on strengthening their collaboration to introduce measures to improve the exploitation pattern in the North Sea, including the introduction of more selective gear and reduced discards. It is very important to ensure that the real harvest is responsible. The quota for 2008 will be 22,152 tonnes.

North Sea herring stocks are in a reasonable condition, but recruitment has slowed over the last five years. In accordance with the management rules the quota reduction should be a maximum 15 per cent. Because of the poor recruitment of the species, the parties are concerned about stocks and therefore decided on a quota of 201,277 tonnes, which represents a reduction of 41 per cent. This is a reduction of 139,835 tonnes compared with 2007. The Norwegian share of the quota is 58,356 tonnes.

The saithe stock is in good condition. To ensure that the stock continue to be kept at a high level, the parties have agreed to stick to the management plan. Nevertheless this includes a 15 per cent increase in the quota next year and indicates that low fishing pressure leads to higher quotas in the longer term. The total quota in 2008 will be 135,990 tonnes, of which the Norwegian quota is 70,668 tonnes.

The quota for haddock in the North Sea will be reduced from 54,640 tonnes in the current year to 46,444 tonnes next year. This is in accordance with the management plan and will make an important contribution to protecting cod stocks, since cod is taken as a by catch of haddock fishing in the North Sea. The Norwegian blue whiting quota in EU waters will be 108,000 tonnes in 2008. The situation for stocks of sand eel and Norway pout is brighter than it has been for a long time, but still a matter of uncertainty. Norway and the EU have agreed to carry out a joint programme of exploratory fishing for sand eel in 2008.

The Norwegian quota of Greenland halibut off Greenland is somewhat increased compared with the current year, whilst the bottom fish quota in the EU zone is somewhat reduced.

The EU’s cod quota in the Norwegian zone of the Barents Sea will be 17,057 tonnes in 2008.

The Norwegian herring quota in the Skagerrak decreases from 9,251 tonnes in the current year to 6,892 tonnes next year. In 2008 Norwegian fishermen will only be able to fish up to 30 per cent of the Norwegian Skagerrak quota for herring in the Norwegian zone of the North Sea.

The total Norwegian prawn quota in the Skagerrak and the North Sea is increased by 400 tonnes to 9,731 tonnes. 

• Protocol of Fisheries Consultations between the European Community, on behalf of Sweden, and Norway 2008
• Agreed Record of Conclusions of Fisheries Consultations between the European Community and Norway for 2008
• Agreed Record of Conclusions of Fisheries Consultations between the European Community and Norway on the Regulations of Fisheries in the Skagerak and Kattegat for 2008