Continued success in the fight against illegal overfishing in the Barents Sea

For the third consecutive year, no illegal overfishing of cod and haddock in the Barents Sea has been detected.

“The results of our efforts to combat illegal fishing are inspirational and have contributed to the strong stock situation and the flourishing fisheries of cod and haddock we are experiencing in the Barents Sea and the Norwegian Sea at the moment,” says Lisbeth Berg-Hansen, the Norwegian Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs.

The analysis of illegal overfishing has been carried out by a joint Norwegian-Russian expert group appointed by the Joint Norwegian-Russian Fisheries Commission. Among other things, the analysis includes a comparison at vessel level and calculations of the total cod and haddock catch in the Barents and Norwegian Seas for 2011.

“Our joint work with Russia has been an important factor for the growth of cod and haddock stocks, and it confirms that joint concerted efforts to counteract illegal fishing are effective," says Berg-Hansen.

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