A good cooperation between Norwegian and Russian fisheries authorities

“The meeting confirms that Russian and Norwegian fisheries authorities still are in a position to cooperate well. We have discussed the positive developments in the illegal fishing in the Barents Sea, Norwegian-Russian cooperation on research, and cooperation in international forums such as NEAFC and FAO,” said Helga Pedersen, Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs following political discussions with the leader of the Russian government fisheries committee, Andrej Krajnij, in Oslo today. 

The work on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the Barents Sea was a central issue in the meeting between Krajnij and Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs Pedersen.

“Thorough analyses by the Directorate of Fisheries show that overfishing of cod in the Barents Sea has been reduced by 50 percent from 2006 to 2007. This will benefit both Norwegian and Russian fishers. Despite considerable progress in work against illegal fishing, both Norwegian and Russian authorities confirmed during today’s meeting that work to combat illegal fishing will continue unabated,” states the Minister for Fisheries and Coastal Affairs.

“I would like to honour everyone who has participated in the work against illegal fishing. Not least Russian fisheries management and the Norwegian and Russian Coast Guard whose exemplary efforts in tackling a complex and widespread problem have paid off. Norway and Russia have a long tradition in cooperating on fisheries issues. Following our meeting today, I am convinced that this cooperation will continue in the same track,” concludes Minister for Fisheries and Coastal Affairs Helga Pedersen.

The Norwegian-Russian fisheries cooperation
Norwegian-Russian cooperation on fisheries was formalized 33 years ago through agreements on cooperation in the fisheries sector and mutual fisheries cooperation. The two agreements are reciprocal and balanced agreements for regulating common fish resources and the exchange of quotas for national stocks.

The joint Norwegian-Russian Fisheries Commission has determined total quotas and distributed quotas between Norway, Russia and third parties for 33 years. The commission also determines reciprocal access to each other’s zones and exchanges quotas both within common stocks and national stocks. The total quotas Norway and Russia determine in the Joint Norwegian-Russian   Fisheries Commission are based on recommendations on catch levels prepared by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), where both Norwegian and Russian scientists are represented.

High-resolution image available. : Magnus Hodne, FKD.