Norway and Russia have set a total quota of 486,000 tonnes for Norwegian-Arctic cod in 2004. This is in accordance with the harvesting strategy that was approved during last year’s session of the Fisheries Commission. The total quota for 2003 was set at 395,000 tonnes. Because of the difficult situation for Norwegian coastal cod, however, the quota for this stock has been halved from the current level down to 20,000 tonnes. In understanding with Russia, Norway shall set a western boundary for the joint management of the king crab at 26º-east longitude (Magerøy). They have also agreed that there will be no fishing of capelin in 2004.

The agreement was signed on Friday, 14 November 2003 after a week of meetings in St. Petersburg of the Joint Norwegian-Russian Fisheries Commission.

As regards the quota for Northeast-Arctic cod (including Murmansk cod) for 2004, Norway and Russia agree on a total quota of 486,000 tonnes. This is in accordance with the harvesting strategy that was approved during the 31st session of the Fisheries Commission. The objective of the strategy is to provide for a biologically sound management combined with a high level of stability in the catches from year to year. The stock of Northeast Arctic cod is in good shape and resource management experts are predicting a further increase in the spawning stock in 2005.

The worrisome situation for Norwegian coastal cod calls for a drastic reduction in the quota. The quota for 2004 entails a halving of last year’s quota to 20,000 tonnes, and Norway has made allowances only for limited fishing for coastal cod and for the unavoidable by-catch of coastal cod in the fishery for Northeast-Arctic cod. Regulatory measures will be implemented to shift coastal fishing from coastal cod to Northeast-Arctic cod during the recovery period.

The total quota for cod is divided between Norway, Russia and third countries in the same proportions as this year. This gives Norway a total quota of 224,600 tonnes for next year.

The countries agree that, starting in 2004, all catches for research and resource management purposes shall be included in the fixed quotas. Up till now, each of the parties has been allowed to utilise 7,500 tonnes of cod above the agreed quotas for these purposes.

Norway and Russia are in agreement about the need for strict controls on fishing in the Barents Sea, and they discussed measures to gain control over the unregistered transhipment activity in this area, which is a matter of great concern. They have agreed to cooperate during the first half of 2004 to develop a monitoring and control regime aimed at this activity with the following key elements: control points for transhipment shall be established both at sea and in harbours, collaboration on control and information sharing shall be intensified with a regular exchange of information about quotas at the shipping company and/or vessel level, exchange of satellite tracking data and the introduction of a system for licence refusal in response to serious quota overruns.

In understanding with Russia, Norway will introduce a western boundary for the joint management of the king crab at 26º-east longitude (Magerøya) in 2004 in order to limit the spread of the king crab west of this boundary. This will give Norway a free rein to pass the measures it deems necessary and appropriate west of this boundary in order to limit the further spread of the king crab, until more knowledge about the ecological impacts of this introduced species is obtained. The countries agreed on a Norwegian quota of 280,000 crabs, an increase of 80,000 over this year’s quota. The Russian quota for 2004 is 500,000 crabs. The countries also agreed to continue their research collaboration with regard to the king crab’s biological and ecological impacts, and they have scheduled a new symposium on this topic for the second half of next year.

The Northeast Artic haddock stock is also in good shape, and the total quota has increased from 101,000 tonnes this year to 130,000 tonnes. This is also in accordance with the harvesting strategy that was approved during last year’s session of the Fisheries Commission. After transfers of quotas from Russia, the Norwegian quota is 66,500 tonnes.

Capelin is subject to large natural fluctuations in the size of the stock, and is now at a bottom level. For this reason, agreement has been reached to not allow any capelin fishing in 2004.

The situation regarding redfish (Sebastes mentella) remains very worrisome. Thus, direct fishing on this stock will not yet be resumed. The by-catch rules that were approved during last year’s session will remain in effect.

In addition, Norway has allotted Russia a by-catch quota of 2,000 tonnes of redfish (Sebastes marinus and Sebastes mentella) and 10,000 tonnes of Northeast Arctic saithe in Norway’s economic zone, in addition to a quota of 2,000 tonnes of wolf-fish and 3,000 tonnes of other non-quota-regulated stocks.

In addition to the transfers of cod and haddock quotas of 6,000 and 4,500 tonnes respectively, Russia has allotted Norway quotas of 3,000 tonnes of prawns, 1,500 tonnes of wolf-fish, 1,000 tonnes of flounder and 500 tonnes of non-quota-regulated stocks. Norway can catch up to 10,000 adult seals in the Russian zone on the East Ice.

The commission is satisfied with the progress in the collaboration on fisheries research cruises, which it regards as one of the longest and best traditions in the Norwegian-Russian collaboration on fisheries. The parties will continue the efforts to simplify the procedures for permits for research cruises in each other’s economic zones.