Norway and the EU have concluded a bi-lateral fisheries agreement for 2006. The two sides have also reached agreement on fishing levels in the Skagerrak next year. The long-term management plan for cod stocks has been revised with a view to achieving higher yields in the long term.

“With these revisions we now have management schemes in place for North Sea herring, coley (saithe), haddock and cod. Such management schemes are intended not only to ensure the prudent management of fish stocks, but also contribute to stable framework conditions for the fishing industry,” says Norwegian Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs Helga Pedersen.

Monitoring and controls

As a result of the considerable focus that has recently been placed on landings of unregistered Norwegian Arctic cod in EU countries, monitoring and control has been a key issue during this year’s negotiations. Norway and the EU have strengthened that part of the agreement which deals with monitoring and control in several ways. The two sides have agreed to extend the mandate of the group of experts who have been monitoring pelagic catches to include the combating of illegal, unreported and unregulated fish (IUU fish). Efforts will also be made to improve controls of whitefish landed at ports around the North Sea.

“I am pleased that we have won acceptance for the view that IUU fish are unacceptable, and that we have agreed to work towards the establishment of a robust regime of port state controls. Furthermore, both sides will strengthen their collaboration with regard to the monitoring of whitefish landed in ports around the North Sea, and will continue their focus on monitoring landings of pelagic catches. This is a significant step in the right direction in our efforts to create satisfactory monitoring and control systems for all fishing in which Norway is engaged,” says Ms Pedersen.

Quotas

The situation for cod in the North Sea remains precarious, and the total allowable catch has been extremely low over the past few years. The total allowable catch for this species has been reduced even further for 2006 from 27,300 tonnes to 23.205 tonnes, which is the lowest quota ever set.

While stocks of North Sea herring are doing well, recruitment over the past three years has been weak. In accordance with the joint management plan, the total allowable catch has been cut by 15% to 454,780 for 2006. This is some 80,000 tonnes less than in 2005. The Norwegian quota in the North Sea is 131,878 tonnes. In 2006 Norwegian fishermen will again be able to catch up to 50% of the Norwegian Skagerrak quota of herring in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea.

Stocks of coley/saithe remain at a reasonable level, despite a slight fall. To secure a stable, long-term yield, the two sides have therefore agreed to reduce next year’s quota by 15%, in accordance with the joint management plan. In 2006 the total allowable catch will be 136,250 tonnes, with the Norwegian quota amounting to 64,090 tonnes.

The North Sea haddock quota will be reduced from this year’s level of 66,000 tonnes to 51,850 tonnes next year. This will make a significant contribution to protecting cod stocks, since cod is a bycatch of haddock fishing in the North Sea.

The Norwegian quota for blue whiting in EU waters is to rise from 120,000 tonnes to 152,442 tonnes in 2006.

The situation for stocks of sandeels and Norway pout remains extremely difficult. Next year, as this, Norway pout may only be caught as an unavoidable bycatch. Furthermore, Norway and the EU will both initiate specific management measures for the sandeel in 2006.

The Norwegian turbot quota off Greenland will be maintained at this year’s level, as will Norway’s quota of bottom fish in EU waters.

The EU’s cod quota in the Norwegian sector of the Barents Sea has been set at 18,920 for 2006.

The total Norwegian quota for shrimp in the Skagerrak and North Sea will increase to 10,019 tonnes next year.