Extension of the Grey Zone Agreement

An agreement providing for a provisional practical arrangement to facilitate fishing activities in an area of the Barents Sea adjacent to Norway (“the Grey Zone Agreement”) was concluded between Norway and the former Soviet Union for the first time on 11 January 1978. Since then the agreement has been extended for a year at a time 29 times. The most recent extension was until 1 July 2007.

The essence of this agreement is that in the area in question (known as the “grey zone”), both countries are to refrain from conducting inspections or from exercising any form of control over the other country’s fishing vessels. It also contains provisions relating to how the parties are to treat third-country vessels.

The agreement is now being extended by one year to 1 July 2008.